Status:
valid
Authors:
Balf.f.
Source:
tro
Year:
1883
Citation Micro:
Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh 12: 85 (1883)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001045250
Common Names
- Ruellia carnea
- Pink Wild Petunia
- Carneous Wild Petunia
Description
Ruellia carnea (also called False Ruellia, among many other common names) is a small, erect, annual herb native to tropical Africa. It has ovate-lanceolate leaves that are green in color and have a serrated margin. It is found in open, disturbed habitats.
Uses & Benefits
Ruellia carnea is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a houseplant. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat fever, diarrhea, and dysentery.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flowers of Ruellia carnea are pink or purple and have a tubular shape. The seeds are small, black and oval-shaped. The seedlings are small and have a single pair of leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Ruellia carnea is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub that can be grown in full sun or partial shade. It is drought-tolerant and can be propagated by cuttings or seeds. Cuttings should be taken in the spring or summer and planted in a well-draining potting mix. Seeds should be sown in the spring and kept moist until germination. Once established, the plant requires little care and can be pruned to maintain its shape.
Where to Find Ruellia carnea
Ruellia carnea is native to tropical Africa and can be found in the countries of Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, and Zaire.
Species in the Ruellia genus
Ruellia rufipila,
Ruellia saeri,
Ruellia rusbyi,
Ruellia rubiginosa,
Ruellia sceptrum-marianum,
Ruellia schnellii,
Ruellia salmeronensis,
Ruellia sarukhaniana,
Ruellia saulensis,
Ruellia pulverulenta,
Ruellia pumila,
Ruellia primuloides,
Ruellia pringlei,
Ruellia prostrata,
Ruellia pulcherrima,
Ruellia pseudopatula,
Ruellia pterocaulon,
Ruellia puberula,
Ruellia reitzii,
Ruellia steyermarkii,
Ruellia sprucei,
Ruellia squarrosa,
Ruellia tetrastichantha,
Ruellia subsessilis,
Ruellia terminalis,
Ruellia suffruticosa,
Ruellia siamensis,
Ruellia silvaecola,
Ruellia sororia,
Ruellia simplex,
Ruellia shaferiana,
Ruellia praetermissa,
Ruellia luzoniensis,
Ruellia magniflora,
Ruellia malabarica,
Ruellia primulacea,
Ruellia malaca,
Ruellia macarenensis,
Ruellia macrophylla,
Ruellia ischnopoda,
Ruellia kerrii,
Ruellia intermedia,
Ruellia jussieuoides,
Ruellia lithophila,
Ruellia jaliscana,
Ruellia inundata,
Ruellia insignis,
Ruellia kleinii,
Ruellia lepidota,
Ruellia liesneri,
Species in the Acanthaceae family
Acanthopale macrocarpa,
Acanthopale confertiflora,
Acanthopale decempedalis,
Acanthopale laxiflora,
Acanthopale madagascariensis,
Acanthopale pubescens,
Acanthopale aethiogermanica,
Acanthopale breviceps,
Acanthopale cuneifolia,
Acanthopale ramiflora,
Acanthopale perrieri,
Acanthopale humblotii,
Acanthopsis carduifolia,
Acanthopsis disperma,
Acanthopsis glauca,
Acanthopsis hoffmannseggiana,
Acanthopsis horrida,
Acanthopsis scullyi,
Acanthopsis spathularis,
Acanthopsis disperma,
Acanthopsis tuba,
Acanthopsis ludoviciana,
Acanthopsis adamanticola,
Acanthopsis dispermoides,
Acanthopsis erosa,
Acanthopsis dregeana,
Acanthopsis tetragona,
Acanthopsis glandulopalmata,
Acanthopsis insueta,
Acanthopsis nitida,
Acanthopsis pagodiformis,
Acanthopsis glabra,
Acanthopsis villosa,
Acanthus austromontanus,
Acanthus greuterianus,
Acanthus kulalensis,
Acanthus arboreus,
Acanthus carduaceus,
Acanthus caroli-alexandri,
Acanthus caudatus,
Acanthus dioscoridis,
Acanthus ebracteatus,
Acanthus eminens,
Acanthus flexicaulis,
Acanthus gaed,
Acanthus guineensis,
Acanthus hirsutus,
Acanthus hungaricus,
Acanthus ilicifolius,
Acanthus latisepalus,