Tropical wild petunia (Ruellia brevifolia, Darwiniana 29: 278 (1989))

Family: Acanthaceae

Author: (Pohl) C.Ezcurra

Bibliography: Darwiniana 29: 278 (1989)

Year: 1989

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ruellia

Vegetable: False

Observations: S. Trop. America

Description

The Tropical Wild Petunia, scientifically known as Ruellia brevifolia, is a splendid member of the Acanthaceae family. This alluring plant is indigenous to the tropical regions of South America, showcasing the rich biodiversity characteristic of these zones.

Ruellia brevifolia was documented in scholarly literature in the publication “Darwiniana,” volume 29, page 278, in the year 1989. The accepted botanical nomenclature ascribed to it is credited to the botanist C. Ezcurra, who refined and classified it based on earlier work by Pohl.

Characterized by its vibrant red flowers and lush foliage, the Tropical Wild Petunia thrives in warm, tropical climates. It plays a crucial role in its native ecosystems, contributing to the beauty and ecological diversity of the region.

Typically, the plant blooms profusely, providing a burst of color that can enchant any garden or natural habitat. Its adaptive nature allows it to grow in various environmental conditions, making it a resilient and versatile species within the Acanthaceae family.

The artistic elegance and botanical significance of Ruellia brevifolia make it a subject of interest for botanists and plant enthusiasts alike, emblematic of the lush and vibrant tropical biodiversity of South America.

Common Names

Eng: tropical wild petunia, red-spray ruellia
Swe: klockruellia
Por: pingo-de-sangue
En: Tropical wild petunia, Red-spray ruellia
Fr: Ruellie à feuilles courtes
Pt: Pingo-de-sangue
Sv: Klockruellia

Synonyms

• Ruellia ventricosa (Kunth)
• Stephanophysum macrandrum (Bremek.)
• Stephanophysum ventricosum (Nees)
• Stephanophysum longifolium (Pohl)
• Stephanophysum longifolium var. microphyllum (Nees)
• Cyrtacanthus corymbosus (Mart. ex Nees)
• Echinacanthus dichotomus (Kuntze)
• Ruellia graecizans (Backer)
• Ruellia serratitheca (Rusby)
• Ruellia amoena (Nees ex Backer)
• Stephanophysum brevifolium (Pohl)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 27, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 23, 2022 by Gualco Magdalena (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 15, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 24, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5415377)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:947317-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ruellia brevifolia (Pohl) C.Ezcurra)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth