Alternate name: Violet Ruellia

Family: Acanthaceae, Acanthus view all from this family

Description Violet Wild Petunia is a semi-sprawling perennial, up to 28 in. high, from a somewhat woody base. Flowers are lavender to purple, trumpet-shaped, deeply lobed at the flared rim, and open about sunrise, falling from the plant in early afternoon. Gray-green leaves have curly or wavy-toothed margins.

Flower March - December.

Flower March - December

Habitat Foothills; prairies; thickets; wood edges; 2500 to 4000 ft.

Range S. Texas to s. Arizona and n.e. Mexico.

Discussion The plant's showy flowers are produced in the summer in loose, terminal clusters; smaller clusters of nonopening, self-fertilizing flowers are produced in spring.

Comments The plant's showy flowers are produced in the summer in loose, terminal clusters; smaller clusters of nonopening, self-fertilizing flowers are produced in spring.

Exposure Preference Partial sun.

Native Distribution S. Texas to s. Arizona & n.e. Mexico

Site Preference Foothills; prairies; thickets; wood edges; 2500 to 4000 ft.

Soil Preference Heavy sands or clays