Ruellia, Mexican petunia
Ruellia simplex, Fam. Acanthaceae
An erect or ascending herb growing to about 1m tall. Stems take root where they touch the ground. Previously Ruellia tweediana, Ruellia malacosperma.
| Weed Category: |
Other invasive plants Invasive plants that are not prohibited or restricted invasive plants, but are known to spread readily and cause negative impacts, within the region.
|
| Weed: | Yes |
| Form or habit: | Herb |
| Family: | Acanthaceae |
| Leaf: | Simple Opposite Opposite, simple, linear to linear-ovate,100-300 x 10mm or less, dull dark green. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Purple, Violet |
| Flower description: | Violet to purple, trumpet-shaped, 25-40mm long, with five spreading petals; borne in axillary clusters. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown, Green |
| Fruit: | |
| Fruit description: | Elongated capsules, to 25mm, maturing from green to light brown, containing about 20 brown flattened seeds, 2mm wide that are explosively expelled at maturity. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Mexico |
| Notes: | Spread by: garden waste; seed and plant fragments spread by water. Invades/threats: Creek lines including flood reach, and environmentally sensitive areas where it actively displaces native species and vegetation communities. Notes: garden escapee that spreads aggressively. Large infestations known in Myrtle, Bakers and Reliance Creeks. Able to grow in shade and thrive in damp conditions; produces copious quantities of seed which create a large seed bank in the soil making it difficult to control once established in creek lines or rainforest areas. Environmental weed. |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
