Native Plants

Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Enter a Plant Name:
Or choose a plant family:

Smith, R.W.

Ruellia humilis

Ruellia humilis Nutt.

Prairie Petunia, Fringeleaf Wild Petunia, Hairy Ruellia, Low Wild Petunia, Low Ruellia, Fringeleaf Ruellia

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

29 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
Size Notes: Erect or rarely decumbent.
Leaf: Green
Flower: Flowers 3-7 cm long
Fruit: Capsule brownish to 15 mm
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

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.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
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 Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
Oregon Native Plant Nursery - Woodburn, OR
Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV
ArcheWild Native Nurseries - Quakertown, PA
Toadshade Wildflower Farm - Frenchtown, NJ
Prairie Nursery - Westfield, WI

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

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: 2016-06-29
Research By: NPIS, JSC

Go back