Discover Nature at JCU Plants NQ Weeds by common name Ruellia simplex (syn. Ruellia tweediana)

Ruellia simplex (syn. Ruellia tweediana)

(Mexican Petunia)

FAMILY

Acanthaceae

Species

Ruellia simplex was previously known as R. tweediana

Common name

Mexican Petunia

Flower colour; life form

Flowers purple, mauve, funnel-shaped; erect herb to about 1 m tall

Distinguishing features

Introduced from South America, spreads vegetatively as well as from seeds. Leaves opposite, narrow to 14 cm long. Flowers funnel-shaped, petals fused lobes spreading, mauve to purple. Fruit a capsule to 2.5 cm long, at maturity, seeds released explosively.

Scan of Ruellia tweediana