Carolina Wild Petunia – Ruellia caroliniensis

General Landscape Uses: Wildflower gardens. Ecological Restoration Notes: An uncommon understory herb in mesic flatwoods. Description: Small to medium wildflower. Dimensions: Typically 6-15 inches in height. Usually erect and taller than broad. Growth Rate: Moderate. Range: Eastern and central United States west to Texas and south to Broward and Collier counties. Perhaps extirpated in Broward County. Habitats: Pinelands. Soils: Moist, well-drained sandy soils, without humus. Nutritional Requirements: Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils. Salt Water Tolerance: Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water. Salt Wind Tolerance: Low; salt wind may burn the leaves. Drought Tolerance: High; does not require any supplemental water once established. Light Requirements: Full sun. Flower Color: Blue or pink. Flower Characteristics: Showy. Flowering Season: Spring-summer. Fruit: Inconspicuous capsule. Wildlife and Ecology: Larval host plant for common buckeye (Junonia coenia) and white peacock (Anartia jatrophae) butterflies. It also attract pollinators. Horticultural Notes: Can be grown from seeds, cuttings and divisions. Comments: It will spread from seed in the garden, but is not aggressive.