Scientific names include Ruellia brittoniana, R. coerulea and R. tweediana, but taxonomists now use the name Ruellia simplex, which was the first name used to describe this species. Reinvasion and/or occurrence of new invaders can be a problem in home-gardens; therefore we recommend that herbicide treatments be followed by replanting with native or appropriate non-aggressive ornamental plants. Mexican-petunia (also known as Mexican bluebell or Britton's petunia) is described as a "hardy perennial edging plant for flower beds and as colorful groundcovers." Scientific: Ruellia brittoniana (synonym R. malacosperma) Common: purple ruellia Family: Acanthaceae Origin: Mexico Pronounciation: Ru-EL-lee-a brit-toe-nee-A-na Hardiness zones Sunset 12-24 USDA 8 (freeze damage), 9-11. Ruellia caerulea Britton's wild petunia. Wild Mexican-petunia must be removed completely, both above and belowground, or it will continue to resprout. UF Privacy Policy Ruellia species will be frozen to the ground in the winter but regrowth should occur from the roots. Stands of Mexican-petunia can also spread via underground stems or rhizomes. Since you’ll only be destroying the top part of the plant, you’ll need to recut it every time it starts to leaf out to force it to use its energy stores and run itself out of food. If you live in one of the nine states most affected by Ruellia, you’re probably wondering how to get rid of Mexican petunias. Mowing, tillage or weed-eating the tops off Mexican-petunia will not remove the plants entirely. Control in invaded natural areas as well as control at the propagule source (home-gardens and landscapes) is needed for long-term management of this invasive species. The plant in question is commonly called a Mexican petunia-- Ruellia brittoniana. The state of Florida lists Mexican petunias as “highly invasive.” Native to Mexico and western South America, Ruellia simplex , also known as R. tweediana, R. brittoniana , R. coerulea , and R. malacosperma , is cold hardy to USDA hardiness zones 8 to 11. There are very few rules in gardening, but perhaps the most important one is to work within your zone. Veins are prominent on the underside of the leaf. Stems are green with brown to reddish highlights at the nodes. Glyphosate can be applied at any time of year for Mexican-petunia control in the home-landscape. Looking like a cross between an ornamental grass and a flowering shrub, this hardy plant flowers every day when placed in a sunny location. Ruellia can become invasive, as it readily reseeds itself. If you want to cultivate this plant, it’s still ok to do so, provided you purchase sterile specimens from your nursery. Lawn and garden maintenance can be one daunting task after another, especially if you’re struggling with plants that keep popping up where they’re not wanted. It is quite rare in cultivation. Instead, plants can be dug up with a shovel, with the aim to remove the entire root mass. No pests or diseases are of major concern. Seeds produce a gel-like substance when wet that enables them to stick to surfaces when they dry. On the other other hand, Florida has named ruellia as an invasive plant with potential to … Although plenty of gardeners have cultivated Ruellia brittoniana over the years, it has since escaped home gardens and become classified as an invasive plant in nine states, stretching from South Carolina to Texas. Fast growing in partial to full sun, Ruellia can become invasive in moist garden soil, spreading by it's root system and reseeding easily. There are no known biological control agents for Mexican-petunia. However, it is also found abundantly in the Caribbean and South America. They are inexpensive, low … Capsules have explosive dehiscence and seeds are spread long distances. Ruellia brittoniana 'Purple Showers'. 7027. Native alternatives to Mexican-petunia for use in home landscaping include wild petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis), blue curls (Trichostema dichotomum), butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa), or swamp milkweed (Asclepias perennis). Mexican-petunia is a perennial in zones 8 to 11 that stands up to 3 feet in height. Site Feedback. They can be defeated in the home landscaping, but it takes a great deal of patience to knock them back. All yield the non-stop flowering of the tall form but are much less aggressive to neighbors. This plant should be planted in bordered beds to tame their rampant and invasive growth. Ruellia simplex, or Mexican petunia, is a herbaceous evergreen perennial of the Acanthaceae family. Ruellia is a genus of flowering plants commonly known as ruellias or wild petunias. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Because the seeds of the Mexican petunia can germinate for years after the adults are gone, it’s a battle you’ve got to really commit to. Ruellia brittoniana 'Katie' SKU. Mexican-petunia can also resprout from crowns or rootstocks when cut back or killed back by frost. Established plants can further spread by rhizome production. This simplistic and yet beautiful flower is known by its scientific name as “Ruellia Brittoniana” but more commonly referred to as “Dwarf Mexican Petunia”. Ruellia simplex, commonly called Mexican petunia or Texas petunia, is a vigorous, shrubby, woody-based, rhizomatous perennial that is grown as an annual north of USDA Zone 8.It is native to Mexico, but has escaped gardens and naturalized somewhat aggressively in parts of the southeastern U. S. from South Carolina to Texas plus Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U. It is a native of Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. 4.01 (1) Herbs to 45 cm tall, perennial, erect. Is Ruellia Invasive? The dwarf ruellia – Ruellia ‘Katie’ comes in pink, purple or white and is less hardy. var. They spread by seed and underground rhizomes. Borne solitary or in clusters at the tips of purplish stems, they rise above the foliage of lance-shaped, glossy green leaves. Bare ground can quickly become invaded by weeds or different invasive species common to urban areas. Since then it has naturalized in most counties in Florida, plus in six other southern states, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The hardiest one is the taller and somewhat invasive purple species – Ruellia simplex. Ruellia malacosperma Greenm. #ruellia #ruelliabrittoniana #mexicanpetunia All you see and hear in this video is by me exept the filming. Leaves are strongly and obviously veined on both surfaces. Ruellia simplex Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Acanthaceae Genus: Ruellia Species: R. simplex Binomial name Ruellia simplex C.Wright Synonyms See text Ruellia simplex, the Mexican petunia, Mexican bluebell or Britton's wild petunia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae. Veins are prominent on the underside of the leaf. It was introduced to Florida in the 1940s. The best bet is to treat the foliage of the plants with glyphosate and kill them back to the root. Stems are green or purple and leaves are dark green, oppositely arranged and lance-shaped, roughly 6 to 12 inches long and ½ to ¾ inches wide. © 2021 University of Florida / IFAS / Center for Aquatic & Invasive Plants From spring to fall it produces a funnel shape flower which comes in white pink or purple color. Regrowth after the first application is expected, so be prepared to spray again each time you notice the plants setting new leaves. Google Privacy Policy | Roots with elongate tuberlike swellings. 39(5):1015-1019. Ruellia brittoniana. The leaf is long and linear and creates a dense look for the plant. Be the first to review this product. (misapplied) Ruellia tweedianaGriseb. Because of its adaptability and rapid reproduction, Mexican petunia has managed to supplant native species in many areas and across several types of natural communities. The Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoniana) is a beautiful addition to a flowering backyard retreat.As a hardy perennial (you only need to plant them once), the Mexican petunia is one of several desert plants that are recommended for warm, dry climates. Many ready-mixed and readily available herbicides can successfully reduce Mexican-petunia cover, including glyphosate, which can be purchased by home-owners at most retail garden stores under the trade name Roundup. Ruellia is a very easy to grow shrub that reaches 3 to 4 ft in height with purple flowers that constantly bloom from Spring through the Fall. I would think it would overwinter just fine without added protection. Ruellia brittoniana Leonard Ruellia caerulea Morong Ruellia coerulea Morong, orth. Dwarf Mexican petunia - sometimes called dwarf ruella - is a hardy little groundcover with cottage-garden appeal that blooms all year in warm, sunny locations. Ruellia, also known as Mexican petunia, is one of those annoying little plants that walks the line between being a beautiful ornamental and an incredibly noxious weed. Dwarf bluebell is incredibly invasive outside of its native Mexico. Ruellia caerulea is on the Texas Invasives list, but whether it is more or less invasive than the natives is a little hard to say. Landscape Use: Foliar and floral accent and/or filler shrub for landscape borders, even streetscapes.Versatile shrub for use in mesic and oasis landscape design … Invasive Plant Atlas of the US NOTE: means species is on that list. That’s hard to believe since it is easy to grow and flowers for a long time – late spring to fall. On one hand, there are at least three varieties of ruellia that are dwarf forms: ‘Katie’, ‘Chi Chi’ and ‘Bonita’. “Purple Showers,” “Mayan Purple,” “Mayan White”, and “Mayan Pink” are common varieties that will cause a lot fewer problems in the landscape. A single spray of a 2% foliar application of glyphosate will control small areas of Mexican-petunia; however, if the area of established plants is large or especially dense, then a second herbicide application may be needed after 2 to 3 months. Seeds generally have high germination rates, and can germinate in both light and dark conditions. Very showy, they are attractive to butterflies, bees and other pollinators. USDA Zone? Dwarf Mexican Petunia can be considered an invasive plant due to self-seeding and fast spread for this reason it is recommended leave ample space between the seeds before plantation. Flowers are trumpet shaped (1-1/2 to 3 inches in diameter), solitary or borne in clusters at the tips of the stems, and are attractive to butterflies, bees and other pollinators. It has become a widespread … Synonym(s): Ruellia brittoniana Family: Acanthaceae (Acanthus Family) Duration and Habit: Perennial Herb. Ruellia brittoniana Highly decorative ruella, or "Mexican Petunia," produces endless violet-purple flowers that attract butterflies. Stems slightly swollen above nodes, almost 4-angled, strigulose on angles. The widely adaptable dwarf Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoniana) has been named a Texas Superstar® by Texas A&M University.“I first observed Ruellia growing in the neglected space between a sidewalk and the street in San Antonio,” said Dr. Wayne Mackay, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station horticulture researcher at Texas A&M Dallas. Use sterile Ruellia cultivars such as "Mayan Purple," "Purple Showers," "Mayan Pink" and "Mayan White." Hortscience. Growth and development of native Ruellia caroliniensis and invasive Ruellia tweediana. I put my Ruellia brittoniana against the house as a foundation shrub at the corner to fill in the blank space left by the young gardenia that was part of the new house landscaping. Flowers are trumpet shaped (1-1/2 to 3 inches in diameter), solitary or borne in clusters at the tips of the stems, and are attractive to butterflies, bees and other pollinators. However, the University of Florida is researching ways to breed and grow Ruellia brittoniana that does not produce any fruits or seeds, and therefore will not be able to spread. With so many names you would expect this to be a popular garden plant but it’s not. But, be warned! across (5 cm), from midsummer to fall. Mexican-petunia is able to tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions including variations in light, temperature, and moisture. Carefully dispose of the vegetation so that it can’t have a chance to regrow. Ruellia brittoniana (Mexican petunia) Mexican petunia is a herbaceous perennial , native to Mexico and South America. If you are planning to apply an herbicide, be aware of and follow all instructions and safety precautions outlined on the package. It is sometimes named Ruellia brittoniana, but R. simplex is preferred, as it is the name first given to the plant when described in Cuba. Other characteristics that make wild Mexican-petunia a successful invasive are its rapid growth rate, affinity for disturbed locations, prolific production of seed, and lack of germination requirements such as scarification or stratification. The funnel-shaped flowers are the primary draw for many of the species and are sometimes called Mexican petunias. In truth, Mexican petunia removal requires vigilant attention to the garden or lawn where they’re a problem and may become a long-term project. Commonly known as the Mexican petunia, the ruellia is an herbaceous perennial shrub with highly invasive tendencies. Ruellia tweediana (ACANTHACEAE) - Mexican bluebell, Wild petunia (also known as Ruellia brittoniana and Ruellia malacosperma) has been an invasive weed in Enoggera Waterways for many years. Stems are green or purple and leaves are dark green, oppositely arranged and lance-shaped, roughly 6 to 12 inches long and ½ to ¾ inches wide. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Sign up for our newsletter. Pests and Diseases. The pink ruellia was terribly invasive for me. Butterflies loves the flower. This page uses Google Analytics Mexican Petunia (Ruellia brittoniana) – Growing and Care Information by Max - last update on December 9, 2020, 8:37 am Mexican petunias are a pretty flowering evergreen perennial that can be grown in containers, as shrub-like plants, or as ground cover . They will still require careful disposal of clippings and cultivation, however, because even the sterile types can escape and repopulate using their rhizomes. Ruellia brittoniana (Mexican Petunia) is a 2–4 foot tall upright spreading perennial. Ruellia humilis has a number of common names including prairie petunia, fringe-leaf wild petunia, hairy ruellia, hairy wild petunia and the fringe-leaf ruellia. Recently dug up more than 100 plants to give away and compost. Ruellia brittoniana (Ru-EL-lee-a brit-toe-nee-A-na), more commonly known as Mexican Petunia belongs to Acanthaceae family and Ruellia genus.. As the name suggests, this plant is a native to Mexico. Leaf margins are can be smooth or wavy. How to Get Rid of Ruellia. Mexican-petunia is a perennial in zones 8 to 11 that stands up to 3 feet in height. The wild form has purple flowers, and is native to Mexico, Western South America and the Antilles. Although plenty of gardeners have cultivated Ruellia brittoniana over the years, it has since escaped home gardens and become classified as an invasive plant in nine states, stretching from South Carolina to Texas. Installing appropriate non-invasive or native ornamental species into newly bare ground right away provides sufficient plant competition to hold the space. Ruellia brittoniana roots when the branches touch the ground, spreads 6-12" per year by underground runners and has viable seed. If the area of established wild Mexican-petunia is large, then an herbicide application might be needed. Ruellia brittoniana can be kept within bounds by planting in a container or in a restricted planter bed, or by using drip irrigation so there is a small oasis in which it can thrive. The leaves have a somewhat grassy look, and flowers cluster around the center of each plant and attract butterflies. Leaf margins are can be smooth or wavy. Photographer: Tony Pernas, USDI National Park Service Source: Bugwood.org Noteworthy Characteristics. In fertile forms, cylindrical fruit or capsules containing 4 to 28 seeds are produced. Ruellia simplex, commonly called Mexican petunia or Texas petunia, is a vigorous, shrubby, woody-based, rhizomatous perennial that is grown as an annual north of USDA Zone 8.It is native to Mexico, but has escaped gardens and naturalized somewhat aggressively in parts of the southeastern U. S. from South Carolina to Texas plus Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U. Although pulling Mexican petunia can work for a few small plants, if you fail to dig the whole root or miss a sprout, you’ll be doing it all again soon. If your Mexican petunias are in the lawn or other delicate area where spraying herbicides might not be a great idea, you can cut the plants back by hand. Shrubs, subshrubs, and evergreen perennials in about 150 species from tropical America, Africa, and Asia belong to the genus Ruellia. Ruellia brittoniana (Mexican Petunia) is a shrubby perennial boasting a profusion of petunia-like, vibrant lavender-blue flowers, 2 in. These plants may be propagated by seed or cuttings. 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