Ruellia caroliniensis
(Carolina Wild Petunia)
Ruellia caroliniensis, Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk Co. 6122
Ruellia caroliniensis, Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk Co. 6114
Ruellia caroliniensis, Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk Co. 6117
Ruellia caroliniensis, Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk Co. 6121
| Scientific Name | Ruellia caroliniensis | USDA PLANTS Symbol | RUCA4 |
| Common Name | Carolina Wild Petunia | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 34373 |
| Family | Acanthaceae (Acanthus) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Dry to moist soils in pine forests, thickets, prairies, along streams, and on roadsides. Plant: Upright leafy perennial with single or multiple stems up to 35 inches tall; usually unbranched. Leaves: Opposite leaves, lower ones obovate and with rounded tips; middle and upper leaves ovate to lanceolate to oblong, 1-1/2 to 4-3/4 inches long, on petioles. Inflorescence: Single or clusters of up to 4 lavender-to-purplish funnel-shaped blossoms arising from the leaf axils; flowers are 1 to 2 inches long and about 1-inch across with a slender floral tube about 1 inch long; corolla has 5 lobes, white stamens and pistil; blossoms last less than a day and are fragile to the touch. Bloom Period: May to October. Reference: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, "Wildflowers of Texas" by Michael Eason and Alabama Plant Atlas. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key | Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024