Back
Ruellia simplex C.Wright
| Family Name: | Acanthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Ruellia coerulea, Ruellia brittoniana, Ruellia tweedyana, Cryphiacanthus angustifolius, Ruellia spectabilis |
| Common Name: | Mexican Petunia, Desert Petunia, Mexican Bluebells, Florida Bluebells, Spanish Ladies |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Aquatic & Hydrophyte (Waterside / Marginal), Herbaceous Plant, Creeper |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 0.9 m to 1 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Mexico, Caribbean, South America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Riverine) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Naturalised)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Short, herbaceous plant with erect growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are narrow and linear with distinct purplish veins. The venation is pinnate or feather-like; the veins curve to the tip and run nearly parallel to the leaf edges. |
| Flowers | Tubular flowers are light purple and 5-lobed. Petals are approximately round to obovate with irregular edges and a longitudinal groove in the middle. |
| Fruit | Light brown fruits are long, cylindrical seed pods with pointed tips. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Flowerbed / Border, Container Planting |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Invasive / Potentially Invasive |
| Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | Could be invasive & described as a Category I Exotic Pest Plant in FloraWeb in Florida. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site) |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Pruning | Do not need pruning other than removing of old leaves. |
| Fertilizing | Do not require fertilizer. |
| Potential Problems | No. |
| Diseases | No. |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting, Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny, Raised / Sunken Veins |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Truncate / Square |
| Typical Foliar Area | Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous, Acaulescent |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Trumpet-shaped |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | Several Days |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1104 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2397 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
