This popped up in my xeriscape bed. It looks nice, but I know it has a reputation!
Is this ruellia?
Top view
Not sure which one but it sure looks like ruellia to me. It doesn't look like the common dwarf variety or the tall and crazy invasive species.
C
Yes, probably on of the many native varieties.
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/combo.php?start=0&distribution=TX&fromsearch=true1&pagecount=10&pagecount=25
Wow! There are a lot of them! I hope I don't regret it but I will let this one stay.
It looks like Ruellia nudiflora, http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RUNU
I have those and I love them, but they do self seed and I don't mind one bit.
They are the larval host for the Buckeye butterfly.
Nudiflora flowers are further away from the leaves. Here is a pic of some growing near me.
Are you saying that you don't think they are Nudiflora? Well maybe not, but they sure look like it to me.
Doesn't look like it to me, but tthen I have been know to be wrong before. I was thinking it looked more like Ruellia caroliniensis
http://www.wildflower.org/gallery/species.php?id_plant=RUCA4
Perhaps Ruellia strepens?
http://www.missouriplants.com/Blueopp/Ruellia_strepens_page.html
It has been IDd to grow in this area.
I have planted one of those (don't know which) several times and they don't survive for me?
Cheryl
I think the confusion is coming from the first picture, in the picture there are two plants, one to the right with oval leaves which I think is Nudiflora, and almost blended with the first there is another plant with pointed leaves which I think is Caroliniensis, but as far as I can tell the flower belongs to the plant with the oval leaves.
Maybe Anna can tell us which one of the plants the flowers are growing on?
I have a plant just like that one that was given to me and was said to be Ruella and it has long lance like leaves and the flowers are apart from the leaves..
Here are more pictures. I have to admit that I am having trouble understanding the detailed descriptions...made my eyes cross! I appreciate your help. If these are hard to see, I will take more once it is in the shade.
another
looks like there are lots of flowers about to bloom
No doubt in my mind, it is Nudiflora. Thank you for the additional pictures.
Thanks Josephine...I 'd like to think a bird brought it over from your garden!
Like I said I have been known to be wrong and I was this time. I agree it looks like nudiflora in the new set of pictures.
This message was edited Sep 19, 2010 12:20 PM
No problem AJ, the reason I was so sure is because I handle this plant almost everyday.
I do to it's in my garden, but going back to the top photo I can see where the plant in the background makes it look like the flower is coming out of the leaf axil which nudiflora does not. The second set of photos makes it obvious, oh well live and learn.
Sorry I confused you. Happy to get a proper ID. Thanks!
Is that the one known in the nurseries as Blue Shade?
We call it Violet Ruellia, or Wild Petunia, but who knows what other names it might have?
Since the City was under a budget crunch this year, the roadsides didn't get mowed as often and there is one of the wild petunias probably the nudiflora in mass along the roads near me. I keep wanting to walk that way and take a picture but keep forgetting. I have spread seeds in some areas for next year. So little blooms in our hot Texas heat in August, and transplants well.
I will bring some for you Sheila.
I have several Josephine...just not in mass like the roadside.
O.K. so i gather you don't need them, no problem.
No, I am good but thanks...they are so sweet!
maybe you will lucky and one will just pop up in your garden like mine did.
I wish they would pop in mine, how convenient.
C
Anna...I did have several volunteers last year..I love them.