Scientific Name:
Ruellia simplex
Pronunciation:
roo-EL-ee-uh SIM-plecks
Common Name:
Mexican petunia
Family Name:
Acanthaceae
Plant Type:
Annual (grown as), Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Leaves opposite, lanceolate, most 15-30cm long x 1.3-2.5cm wide, prominent veins on the underside, dark green (appears a metallic blue/purple under full sun); flowers commonly vibrant lavender-blue (pink and white cvs.), petunia-like, 3-4cm wide, each last one day.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Oval - vertical, Round
Texture:
Medium - coarse
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Mexico
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 8b: (-9.4 to -7 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Bog, Humus rich
Landscape Uses:
Attract birds, Attract butterflies, Bedding plant, Container planting, Rock garden, Waterside planting, Wetland - bogs
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Dark-green
Shapes:
Lanceolate
Apices:
Acute
Margins:
Serrate, Undulate (wavy)
Inflorescence Type:
Flowers solitary
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Campanulate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Blue, Violet, Purple, Pink
Flower Time at Peak:
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Oct
Additional Info:
Not showy
Bark Morphology:
Smooth
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green, Red
Organ Modifications:
Rhizomes
Propagation:
Seed, Cuttings, Division - below ground parts
Maintenance:
Low
Other:
Deadhead to prolong blooming period
Pest Susceptibility:
Bacterial leaf spot, Fungal leaf spot, Root rot, Rust (Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant)
