It was introduced to Florida in the 1940s. Flowering is very respectable but less frequent when plants are grown as annuals in northern gardens, but will typically bloom from May to September. Grown from rhizomes and seeds, the Mexican petunia prefers moist wetlands and can quickly colonize areas in moist, foggy climates such as Northern California. It is native to Mexico, but has escaped gardens and naturalized somewhat aggressively in parts of the southeastern U. S. from South Carolina to Texas plus Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands. It is a native of Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. It tolerates a wide variety of soil types including heavy clay, acidic, sandy, loamy, and occasionally wet soils. It has been found that C. Wright named this plant Ruellia simplex in 1870 and Ruellia simplex is the name that this plant appears under in Wunderlin's Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants. 5967] Ruellia species [Tripp et al. Share. No serious insect or disease problems. Although Ruellia simplex has lovely blooms, due to its invasive tendencies it is not a good plant for Florida gardens. It grows in the ground in our garden in a harsh location -- a narrow bed between a concrete walk and a brick patio, in full sun in summer and partial shade in winter. Straight species plants are rarely sold, but several established cultivars are regularly sold (pink, purple or white flowers in tall and dwarf forms).Genus name honors Jean de la Ruelle (1474-1537), French herbalist and physician to Francois I (1494-1547) who was king of France from 1515 until his death in 1547.Specific epithet of simplex is in reference to the leaves being simple. It is a sprawling perennial herb with branches to 60cm. Native to Mexico and western South America, Ruellia simplex, also known as R. tweediana, R. brittoniana, R. coerulea, and R. malacosperma, is cold hardy to USDA hardiness zones 8 to 11.Although there has been confusion over the plants’ proper name since a German botanist named them in 1879, most horticulturists now refer to them as R. tweediana. Tubular, trumpet-shaped, 5-lobed, petunia-like, lavender to violet flowers (to 1.75” long) bloom from the upper leaf axils in loose purple-stemmed clusters (long-stalked cymes). It has become invasive in some of these areas, forming dense, single-species stands of vegetation which threaten native plants. Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoniana) is a low-growing evergreen shrub with long leaves and blue … Ruellia simplex is native to southern North America, southern South America, and the Antilles (Ezcurra and Daniel 2007). Mexican petunia (Ruellia simplex) is regarded as an environmental weed in Queensland and is of particular concern in the south-eastern parts of this state, where it was recently ranked among the 200 most invasive plant species. It is been given a number of different names, including R. brittoniana, R. coerulea, R. malacosperma and R. tweediana. Machu™ Morado Ruellia or Mexican Petunia is an easy to grow heat and sunloving tropical well suited to container culture as well as in the garden and landscape. Other Names: Ruellia simplex, Ruellia tweediana, Wild Petunia, Description: This variety is quite adaptable, tolerating average to wet conditions in any kind of soil; abundant purple flowers all season long; cut back stems to encourage re-blooming; does not set seed but will spread by rhizomes; beautiful when massed in borders [3] The genus is named after French botanist Jean Ruel, while the specific name refers to the simple, not compound leaves. For USDA Zones 8-10, it may be effectively grown in bog gardens, as a pond marginal, and in beds and borders. The Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoniana) is a beautiful addition to a flowering backyard retreat.As a hardy perennial (you only need to plant them once), the Mexican petunia is one of several desert plants that are recommended for warm, dry climates. For example, it is listed as a significant non-declared pest plant in Maroochy Shire, an undesirable plant in Caboolture Shire, and a weed of natural bushland and waterways in Gold Coast City. Plants may spread invasively by self-seeding and rhizomes. 5943] Ruellia species [Tripp et al. Ruellia simplex (Britton's wild petunia, Mexican petunia, Mexican bluebell) is a species of flowering plant in the acanthus family, Acanthaceae. In woodlands where there is an absence of fire or other It grows well in sun and shade. For many years it was watered sporadically, but is now on a drip system and has become more robust. It is a native of Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. It has become a widespread invasive plant in Florida, where it was … It typically grows to 3-4 tall in the wild, but to 2-3 tall in gardens. The Alabama Plant Atlas is a source of data for the distribution of plants within the state as well as taxonomic, conservation, invasive, and wetland information for each species. Trumpet shaped flowers are metallic blue to purple, with five petals, and 3 in (7.6 cm) wide. 5908] Ruellia solitaria. Ruellia simplex, the Mexican petunia, Mexican bluebell or Britton's wild petunia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae. Posted by plantladylin (Sebastian, Florida - Zone 10a) on Jan 27, 2017 1:32 PM. Ruellia simplex. Beloved by many gardeners for its heat tolerance and shade-loving nature, but reviled by others for its eagerness to spread with abandon, R. simplex can be divisive. Ruellia tweedieana, Cryphiacanthus angustifolius, Ruellia spectabilis, Ruellia coerulea, Ruellia brittoniana Common Name: Mexican Petunia, Desert Petunia, Mexican Bluebells, Florida Bluebells, Spanish Ladies Ruellia flowers are 2-inch long funnel-shaped blooms growing on a perennial shrub. Excellent annual flowering plant for areas where it is not winter hardy. It is very heat tolerant; moderately salt tolerant and drought tolerant. To explore this potential between the invasive plant species Ruellia simplex and the closely related, sympatric Ruellia caroliniensis, we conducted a study of re-productive crossability and hybrid viability. Ruellia simplex, or Mexican petunia, is a herbaceous evergreen perennial of the Acanthaceae family.It is sometimes named Ruellia brittoniana, but R. simplex is preferred, as it is the name first given to the plant when described in Cuba. It also does well in average garden soils with even moisture. Ruellia tweediana, Ruellia brittoniana, Ruellia caerulea Conclusions by Zone. [1], Ruellia simplex is native to Mexico, the West Indies, western Bolivia, southwestern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina. [5], Dwarf Mexican Petunia or Katie Pink or Katie Ruellia -- Ruellia simplex, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ruellia_simplex&oldid=987048548, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 4 November 2020, at 15:53. It has become a widespread invasive plant in Florida, where it was likely introduced as an ornamental before 1933. Central, North, South Invasive (No Uses) Species evaluated with the Predictive Tool: The Care & Maintenance of a Mexican Petunia. Both seeds and bits of rhizome will float in water. Each flower blooms for only one day. We moved into our current home nine months go and I've been trying to eradicate this plant from two separate areas of my yard ever since. So, in the 20 years that I've been here, Mexican-petunia has had three names: first Ruellia brittoniana, then Ruellia tweediana, and now Ruellia simplex. In the last 20 years, Mexican petunia (Ruellia simplex) has gone from being relatively uncom… Mexican-petunia (also known as Mexican bluebell or Britton’s petunia) is described as a “hardy perennial edging plant for flower beds and as colorful groundcovers.” Scientific names include Ruellia brittoniana, R. coerulea and R. tweediana, but taxonomists now use the name Ruellia simplex, which was the first name used to describe this species. 5944] Ruellia species [Tripp et al. Ruellia is a genus of flowering plants commonly known as ruellias or wild petunias. How to Grow Ruellia Plants Guide to Growing Wild petunia, Common Ruellia, and Fever root. The purple flowers of the Ruellia contrast nicely with … Mexican petunia (Ruellia simplex) has also become invasive in south-eastern USA, where it has spread rapidly and displaced native flora. Once established in the wild, plants are very difficult to eradicate. There main blooming period is from Spring to summer, but many Ruellia will also … It thrives as a marginal water plant and in boggy soils. Ruellia spectabilis. Adaptable to soil types but prefers a sunny site in a fertile moist to average moist soil. It is mainly a plant of wet places such as ditches, pond verges, lakesides and marshes, but can survive in drier conditions. Best flowering is in full sun. Ruellia simplex, commonly called Mexican petunia or Texas petunia, is a vigorous, shrubby, woody-based, rhizomatous perennial that is grown as an annual north of USDA Zone 8. The wild form has purple flowers, and is native to Mexico, Western South America and the Antilles. Originally native to Mexico, it is now found in the Southwest United States, naturalized in many areas. At this time, R. simplex is the preferred name because it has been determined that this was the name first given to this plant in 1870 when it was described in Cuba, and accordingly that name has priority. Tough plant that takes dry or wet soil. Avoid using it in areas that receive shade for more than half the day or it will reduce the flowering and promote a sprawling growth habit. For sheer flower power … There is a dwarf variety that is only 1 ft (0.30 m) tall. Noteworthy Characteristics. Ruellia simplex, commonly called Mexican petunia or Texas petunia, is a vigorous, shrubby, woody-based, rhizomatous perennial that is grown as an annual north of USDA Zone 8. Central Phoenix -- Katie blue Ruellia brittoniana is a very tough plant. R. simplex grows in a wide range of environmental conditions, from wetlands to almost xeric habitats. Britton's wild petunia, Mexican bluebell, Mexican petunia Synonyms. caroliniensisas It typically grows to 3-4’ tall in the wild, but to 2-3’ tall in gardens. Easy to propagate by cuttings, division and seed. Cut back stems after flowering to encourage new flowers. It is characterized by linear to lanceolate leaves 3 to 7 inches long with very prominent veins, oppositely arranged along the stem. Ruellia Simplex. They are … Where is this species invasive in the US. Plants will spread by rhizomes and self-seeding in the garden, and have escaped gardens and aggressively naturalized in parts of the southeastern U.S. The website also provides access to a database and images of plants photos and herbarium specimens found at … Ruellia sororia. The Garden wouldn't be the Garden without our Members, Donors and Volunteers. Plants are most invasive in moist areas. Winter hardy to USDA Zone 8 (marginally hardy in Zone 7 with protection and mulch) where it is best grown in medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. It is native to Mexico, but has escaped gardens and naturalized somewhat aggressively in parts of the southeastern U. S. from South Carolina to Texas plus Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands. Map). It has square stems which grow from underground rhizomes. Phonetic Spelling roo-EL-ee-yuh SIM-plecks Description. Excellent free-blooming plant in large containers. 5953] Ruellia species [Tripp et al. Creeping Ruellia (Ruellia squarrosa) Also known as Water Bluebell or Blue Shade, this plant is native to southern Mexico and occurs in natural watercourses, forest edges and disturbed zones. It has been widely used as an ornamental plant and has escaped from cultivation in the United States, Australia and parts of Asia, as well as several Pacific Islands. nov. [Tripp et al. [1][2], Ruellia simplex C.Wright is the oldest and accepted name for this species, which has been variously called Ruellia angustifolia (Nees) Lindau, Ruellia brittoniana Leonard, and Cryphiacanthus angustifolius Nees, among several synonyms. Ruellia simplex is native to Mexico, the West Indies, western Bolivia, southwestern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina. May be grown indoors as a houseplant. Native Range: Caribbean, Central and South America, Mexico. Often confused with Ruellia tweediana, but its leaves are a bit shorter and wider. Outline Background on Mexican Petunia Experiments to Inform Revegetation Future Research to Refine Management (Herbicide + … Plants branch from the ground into several woody-based stems clothed with elongated, linear, willow-like, dark green leaves (to 6-12” long and ¾” wide) that are often tinged with purple. Plants also tolerate high heat and humidity. This plant thrives in moist, fertile, humusy but well-drained soils. It is proving especially problematic in wet areas and can out-compete closely related native species in such environments (e.g. Ruellia sarukhaniana. When purchasing plants from a nursery, make sure you do not get the weedy non-native and invasive Britton’s Wild Petunia or Mexican Bluebell (Ruellia simplex C. Wright Synonym Ruellia brittoniana Leonard). Ruellia simplex, commonly called Mexican petunia or Texas petunia, is a vigorous, shrubby, woody-based, rhizomatous perennial that is grown as an annual north of USDA Zone 8.It is native to Mexico, but has escaped gardens and naturalized somewhat aggressively in parts of the southeastern U. S. from South Carolina to Texas plus Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U. The Atlas of Florida Plants provides a source of information for the distribution of plants within the state and taxonomic information. Best flowering occurs in the deep South near the temperatures of its Mexican origin where flowers may appear from May to November, but sometimes year round. Plants branch from the ground into several woody-based stems clothed … 6776] Ruellia speciosa. Ruellia simplex. ruellia malacosperma Shrubby perennial native to Mexico. Thanks to its sweet purple flowers, however, we come down firmly on the pro-ruellia side of the debate. It is a versatile plant that tolerates an extremely wide range of growing conditions. It can be significantly invasive in areas such as the Florida where it is has been declared to be a Category 1 invasive species. Flowers are followed by bean-like pods (to 1” long) which explosively dehisce mature seed in all directions. ’ s blue and lavender flowers compliment the yellows and whites of many summer flowering plants perennial with. ” long ) which explosively dehisce mature seed in all directions shrubs that reach from to! 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