Petunia x atkinsiana (Sweet) D. Don ex W.H. Baxter

Garden Petunia

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Wild Petunia is a non-native annual or weak perennial in the Nightshade family (Solanaceae). It is a plant of hybrid origin between the White Petunia (Petunia axillaris (Lamarck) Britton, Sterns & Poggenburg) and the Violet Petunia (Petunia integrifolia (Hooker) Schinz & Thellung), two species native to South America. Wild Petunia is an old time garden plant, and is still cultivated in some areas. It can also be found around the edges of fields, on roadsides, and around old home sites. Wild Petunia occurs throughout Alabama. It is a short lived perennial from a tap root. Stems are initially upright, but usually fall over as the plant grows. Stems may be from 1-3 feet in length. The stems are often branched, especially on vigorously growing plants. The leaves are alternate, ovate to lanceolate in outline, with entire margins. The lower leaves have petioles while those higher on the stem are sessile. There are usually short axillary branches in the axils of the leaves. The stems, leaves, and flowers are viscid pubescent and “sticky” to the touch. Small insects may become entrapped on the stems or leaves. Flowers are axillary and solitary. The flowers are funnelform in shape and vary in color from deep pink or purple, through striped, to white. The fruit is an ovoid, papery capsule containing many small seed. Wild Petunia is available from some nurseries that specialize in heirloom plants. It can also be easily grown from seed. Wild Petunia is very tolerant of heat, drought, and poor soil. It easily out preforms many of the commercially available hybrids. In the southern portions of the state it may flower throughout the year, except in the coldest months.--A. Diamond

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Not Native hyb (Global Rank)

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