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Smith, R.W.

Ruellia humilis

Ruellia humilis Nutt.

Prairie Petunia, Fringeleaf Wild Petunia, Hairy Ruellia, Low Wild Petunia, Low Ruellia, Fringeleaf Ruellia, Fringe-leaf Wild Petunia

Acanthaceae (Acanthus Family)

Synonym(s): Ruellia ciliosa var. longiflora, Ruellia humilis var. calvescens, Ruellia humilis var. depauperata, Ruellia humilis var. expansa, Ruellia humilis var. frondosa, Ruellia humilis var. longiflora

USDA Symbol: ruhu

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Fringe-leaf Wild Petunia�s multi-branched stem may reach a height of 2 ft. but is usually less than a foot tall. The short internodes give the plant a compact, leafy, bushy appearance. Its showy flowers are petunia shaped and vary in color from lavender to purple.

From the Image Gallery

30 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Ovate
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Pubescence: Hirsute
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Acute
Leaf Base: Truncate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Erect or rarely decumbent. Up to about 2 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Flower: Flowers 3-7 cm long.
Fruit: Capsule brownish to 15 mm.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , OH , OK , PA , TN , TX , VA , WI , WV
Native Distribution: PA to WI & e. KS, s. to w. NC, AL & TX
Native Habitat: Woodlands' edge, Opening, Thickets

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Conditions Comments: Growth habit is upright to somewhat sprawling. Wonderful addition to a wildflower planting. Blooms in the heat of summer if given a little extra water. Reseeds readily. Larval food plant for the Buckeye and several other butterfly species.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Perennial garden, Blooms ornamental
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Buckeye
Nectar Source: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Division
Description: Stem cutting taken in June or July and treated with hormone give the best results. Hold the rooted cuttings in a cold frame until spring. Seeds are produced in abundance but germination is low.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Maintain moist soil, Fertilize in spring with rose food

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACU				FACU	FAC		FACU	FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 766 - Dale Groom's Texas Gardening Guide (2002) Groom, D.
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Ruellia humilis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Ruellia humilis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ruellia humilis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-24
Research By: NPIS, JSC

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