Ruellia, commonly known as Mexican petunia, has an interesting story. Originating from Mexico, it was brought to other parts of the world due to its vibrant flowers and hardiness. Legend has it that the plant was discovered by a young traveler who got lost in the Mexican wilderness. He stumbled upon a hidden valley adorned with the enchanting blooms of Ruellia. Captivated by its beauty, he collected seeds and introduced the plant to the world. Since then, Ruellia has become a beloved garden plant, symbolizing the resilience and beauty found in unexpected places.
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Short Description
Ruellia is a genus of flowering plants commonly known as ruellias or wild petunias. They are not closely related to petunias (Petunia) although both genera belong to the same euasterid clade. The genus was named in honor of Jean Ruelle (1474–1537), herbalist and physician to Francis I of France and translator of several works of Dioscorides.
Numerous formerly independent genera are nowadays considered synonymous with Ruellia, including Blechum, Eusiphon, and Ulleria. Acanthopale and Polylychnis are considered a distinct genera.
Ruellias are popular ornamental plants. Some are used as medicinal plants, but many are known or suspected to be poisonous. Their leaves are food for the caterpillars of several Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), typically Nymphalinae and in particular members of their tribe Junoniini, such as the larvae of the banded peacock (Anartia fatima). Nymphalinae using Ruellia as host plants include the common buckeye (Junonia coenia), recorded on R. nodiflora, the lemon pansy (Junonia lemonias), recorded on R. tuberosa, and the malachite butterfly (Siproeta stelenes) and Australian lurcher (Yoma sabina), which are recorded on several species.
Ruellia elegans
Bell weed (Ruellia prostrata)
Ruellia dipteracanthus
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