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Mexican Petunia

Ruellia simplex

Basic Details

Description

Floral Formula

Features

Translations

Basic Details

NameMexican Petunia

DescriptionVigorous perennial producing trumpet-shaped flowers resembling petunias in shades of purple, blue, pink, or white. Each delicate bloom lasts only one day but replaced continuously throughout summer and fall. Narrow lance-shaped leaves on upright stems. Thrives in heat, humidity, and wet soil where other plants struggle. Native to Mexico and Central America. WARNING: Highly invasive in warm climates, spreading aggressively through rhizomes and prolific self-seeding. Banned or restricted in some regions. Despite invasiveness, valued for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.

FamilyAcanthaceae

GenusRuellia

TribeRuellieae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ K(5) C(5) A4 G(2)

Ebracteate, radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, 5 fused sepals forming tube, 5 fused petals forming trumpet with 5 lobes, 4 stamens (didynamous - 2 long, 2 short) attached to petal tube (epipetalous), 2 fused carpels with superior ovary. Characteristic of Acanthaceae family

Features

Named for resemblance to Petunia flowers, though unrelated (different families). 'Ruellia' honors French herbalist Jean Ruelle. 'Simplex' means simple or unbranched. Not true petunia. Also called Mexican Bluebell. About 250 Ruellia species. Considered invasive weed in Florida, Texas, and other warm regions
Flowers 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) long, trumpet or funnel-shaped with 5 flared petals. Colors include purple-blue (most common), violet, pink, or white. Crinkled, papery texture. Each flower lasts single day, opening morning, dropping by evening. Blooms continuously summer through fall (June-November). Prolific bloomer
Herbaceous perennial in warm climates, annual in cold areas. Upright stems with narrow, lance-shaped leaves 6-12 inches long. Spreads aggressively through underground rhizomes and abundant self-seeding. Forms dense colonies. Evergreen in frost-free areas. Dies back with frost but regrows from roots. Extremely vigorous, difficult to control
Grows 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) tall, occasionally to 5 feet. Spreads indefinitely through rhizomes if not contained. Lifespan of many years as perennial. Propagated from seed, cuttings, or division. Seeds germinate readily. Grows rapidly, establishing quickly. Can spread several feet per year
Native to Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Found in wet areas, stream banks, ditches, and disturbed sites. Now naturalized throughout southern United States, Southeast Asia, Australia. Escaped cultivation widely. Thrives in tropical and subtropical climates. Invasive in many warm regions
Thrives in full sun to partial shade (tolerates more shade than most). Prefers consistently moist to wet soil - excellent for boggy areas and pond edges. Tolerates standing water. Heat and humidity tolerant. Hardy zones 8-11 as perennial, grown as annual in colder zones. Extremely low maintenance once established
WARNING: Invasive in warm climates - check local regulations before planting. Banned in some areas. Spreads aggressively, difficult to eradicate. Contains rhizomes deep in soil. Self-seeds prolifically. Can escape gardens and invade natural areas. Displaces native plants. Use only in containers or controlled settings in warm regions
Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Provides nectar summer through fall. Deer and rabbit resistant. Tolerates wet soil where other flowers fail. Good for rain gardens and water features if contained. Despite invasiveness, valued for wildlife attraction and ability to thrive in challenging wet conditions

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificRuellia simplex

English (Alternate)Mexican Bluebell, Britton's Wild Petunia, Desert Petunia, Texas Petunia, Ruellia brittoniana

Hindiचटकन (Chatkan), मेक्सिकन पेटुनिया (Mexican Petunia)

Tamilருயெலியா (Ruellia), மெக்சிகன் பெட்டூனியா (Mexican Petunia), நீல மணி (Neela Mani)

Teluguరుయెల్లియా (Ruellia), మెక్సికన్ పెటునియా (Mexican Petunia), నీల పువ్వు (Neela Puvvu)

Malayalamറുയേലിയ (Ruellia), മെക്സിക്കൻ പെറ്റൂണിയ (Mexican Petunia)

Kannadaರುಯೆಲ್ಲಿಯಾ (Ruellia), ಮೆಕ್ಸಿಕನ್ ಪೆಟೂನಿಯಾ (Mexican Petunia)

Sanskritकल्माषी (Kalmashi), पर्पट (Parpata), नील घंटिका (Neela Ghantika)

Bengaliপটপটি (Potpoti), রুয়েলিয়া (Ruellia), মেক্সিকান পিটুনিয়া (Mexican Petunia)

FrenchPétunia mexicain, Ruellie simple

RussianРуэллия (Ruelliya), Мексиканская петуния (Meksikanskaya petuniya)

SpanishPetunia mexicana, Petunia silvestre, Campanas

GermanMexikanische Petunie, Ruellie

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula

% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G₂

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.