Desert Petunia (Ruellia brittoniana)
March 9, 2008 — Vasant M. SalianDesert Petunia (Ruellia brittoniana) is an ornamental plant native of Argentina, Cerrado and Pantanal vegetation of Brazil, Mexico and Paraguay. Despite the name, this plant is not related to the usual garden petunia at all - rather, it belongs to the Ruellia genus. Desert petunia is an extremely tough, drought-resistant plant with a long bloom period. It grows in practically any soil, clay or sand, and tolerates wet or dry conditions. It has attractive dark-green leaves which are very slender, resembling those of the spider plant. Blue petunia like flowers appear throughout the growing season. Clumps can become invasive in good soils if not controlled.
Desert petunia is an easy to grow plant with strikingly colored flowers that is seldom bothered by disease or pests. It blooms enthusiastically throughout the hottest time of the year.
Taxonomy:
Kingdom : Plantae
Division : Magnoliophyta
Class : Magnoliopsida
Order : Lamiales
Family : Acanthaceae
Genus : Ruellia
Species : Ruellia brittoniana
Pronunciation/Meaning:
- Acanthaceae (ah-kanth-AY-see-ay) - The Acanthus family (from the Greek ákantha, meaning thorn, spine, or spike).
- Ruellia (roo-EL-ee-uh) - Named for Jean Ruel, 16th century French botanist.
- brittoniana (brit-toh-nee-AY-nuh) - Named for Britton.
Common Names:
- Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells, Mexican Petunia, Mexican Blue Bells, Britton’s Ruellia (English)
- Langdhrei angangba (Manipuri)
Links:
Image Courtesy of Van Swearingen.
