Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Lamiales
Genus:
Species:
nitens
ID:
1044869

Status:
valid

Authors:
Nees

Source:
tro

Year:
1993

Citation Micro:
Kew Bull. 48(1): 17. 1993 [1 Apr 1993]

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001044207

Common Names

  • Ruellia nitens
  • Shiny Ruellia
  • Wild Petunia

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Description

Ruellia nitens (also called Shining Ruellia, among many other common names) is a shrub native to Central and South America. It has a woody stem and can reach up to 2 m in height. Its leaves are ovate and up to 5 cm long, and its flowers are purple or blue. It is found in tropical forests and savannas.

Uses & Benefits

Ruellia nitens is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes. It is also used as a medicinal plant to treat fever, headache, and other ailments.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Ruellia nitens has small, white flowers with five petals. The seeds are small and black. The seedlings are thin and have a single, long stem with small, green leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Ruellia nitens is a perennial herb that grows in a clump and can reach up to 1 m in height. It is native to Mexico and Central America. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Propagation is done by seed, cuttings, or division. Seeds should be sown in spring or summer in a light, sandy soil. Cuttings should be taken in spring or summer and rooted in a light, sandy soil. Division should be done in spring or summer.

Where to Find Ruellia nitens

Ruellia nitens is native to Mexico and Central America. It is found in dry, open areas, usually in rocky soils. It can be found in nurseries and online.

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,