(Photo: 6/11/09 by Jo)
Limestone Wild Petunia (Ruellia strepens)
Other common names: Smooth Wild Petunia, Smooth Ruellia
Status: Native to North America.
Distribution: The northern limit of Smooth Ruellia is in Illinois, Indiana and eastward to New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Extends southward to Florida and Texas.
Habitat: Found in rich forest and along forest margins. Grows well in moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in part shade. Tolerates close to full shade.
Flowering period: May to July in the northern limits of its range. Blooms until September in southern states. Flowers last for only one day but the plant produces many flowers while in bloom.
Comments: Although wild petunias and cultivated petunias look somewhat similar, they are not closely related -- not even members of the same family. Wild petunias are members of the Acanthus family. Cultivated petunias were imported from South America and are members of the potato (Solanaceae) family.
Status: Native to North America.
Distribution: The northern limit of Smooth Ruellia is in Illinois, Indiana and eastward to New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Extends southward to Florida and Texas.
Habitat: Found in rich forest and along forest margins. Grows well in moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in part shade. Tolerates close to full shade.
Flowering period: May to July in the northern limits of its range. Blooms until September in southern states. Flowers last for only one day but the plant produces many flowers while in bloom.
Comments: Although wild petunias and cultivated petunias look somewhat similar, they are not closely related -- not even members of the same family. Wild petunias are members of the Acanthus family. Cultivated petunias were imported from South America and are members of the potato (Solanaceae) family.
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