Texas Invasives

Sign up for the iWire to get breaking news, event info and the species spotlight.

Go Back | Printer Friendly Fact Sheet

Federal Noxious Weed

TDA Noxious Weed

TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species

Invasive Plant Atlas of the US

NOTE:

means species is on that list.

Ruellia caerulea

Britton's wild petunia

Synonym(s): Ruellia simplex, Ruellia brittoniana or Mexican Pentunia
Family: Acanthaceae (Acanthus Family)
Duration and Habit: Perennial Herb

Photographer: Tony Pernas, USDI National Park Service
Source: Bugwood.org

Description

This deciduous plant can grow up to 3-4ft. From sping through fall it will have purple, lavender, white, or pink flowers which attract butterflies.

Native Lookalikes: Ruellia nudiflora (violet wild petunia)

Credit: Claire Sorenson, Native Plant Society of Texas

violet wild petunia (Ruellia nudiflora)

Ecological Threat: It forms dense stands in the understory of forests, crowding out native plants and altering fire and succession regimes.

Biology & Spread: It produces a significant amount of seeds year-long, which do not require exposure to cold weather (stratification) or mechanical damage (scarification) to germinate. Seeds produce a gel-like substance when wet that enables them to stick to surfaces when they dry. It can also spread by lateral roots.

History: Widely popular in the landscape trade, Britton’s wild petunia (also known as Mexican petunia) has been planted across the SE US.

U.S. Habitat: Its purple flowers and tolerance of different urban landscapes makes it a popular choice for difficult areas, as it can thrive in shade, sun, wet, dry, and poor soil.

Distribution

U.S. Nativity: Introduced to U.S.

Native Origin: Mexico

U.S. Present: AL, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX

Distribution in Texas: Reports from Austin, Brownsville, Dallas and Houston areas.

Mapping

Invaders of Texas Map: Ruellia caerulea
EDDMapS: Ruellia caerulea
USDA Plants Texas County Map: Ruellia caerulea

Invaders of Texas Observations

List All Observations of Ruellia caerulea reported by Citizen Scientists

OBS# 10761

OBS# 18244

OBS# 11162

Native Alternatives

Management

All parts of the plant must be removed, including everything above and below ground. Plan on using a shovel to completely remove the root mass because much of its spread occurs underground.If cultural and mechanical control mechanisms fail to be effective,

Chemical: Glyphosate (2-3%) can successfully control the spread of this invasive plant. Although, homeowners may need to apply 2-3 months later because of the density of its stand.

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

Text References

Online Resources

https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=RUCA19

https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/ruellia-simplex/

https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/2017/09/18/an-alternative-to-invasive-ruellia/