Ruellia humilis Nutt.

Low Wild Petunia; Fringe Leaf Wild Petunia; Hairy Wild Petunia

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Low Wild Petunia is a native herbaceous perennial in the Acanthus family (Acanthaceae). It occurs primarily in the central and northern portions of the state in areas underlain by limestone. Low Wild Petunia occurs in prairies, on cedar glades, in rocky limestone woodlands, and on roadsides. It is a perennial that dies back to the roots each winter. The erect or decumbent, pubescent, branched stems are 6 inches to two feet in length. The stems are green or purplish in color. Several stems are often produced from the same rootstock. Leaves are opposite, sessile or short petiolate, ovate to lanceolate in outline, pubescent, with entire margins. Funnelform flowers are produced in sessile axillary glomerules. The flowers are light blue or pale lavender in color and only remain open for one day. However, the plant produces a succession of flowers from early summer through frost. The calyx lobes are linear and pubescent. The fruit is a glabrous capsule that “explodes” at maturity, scattering the seed. Low Wild Petunia can withstand drought and can grow in heavy clay “prairie” soils. It is sometimes available from wildflower nurseries, or can be grown from seed or stem cuttings. Seed capsules should be collected as soon as they turn brown to prevent losing the seed. Germination can be low, but the plant produces an abundance of seed.—A. Diamond

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Native FACU (NWPL)

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