Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Sunday - July 06, 2014
From: Georgetown, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Problem Plants
Title: Is Ruellia aggressive?
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Is Ruellia aggressive?ANSWER:
There are 5 native species of Ruellia in the Central Texas area. All of these occur in or adjacent to Williamson County. None of these could be said to be aggressive or invasive. These 5 species are:
Ruellia drummondiana (Drummond's ruellia) Here are more photos and information from the School of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at Austin.
Ruellia humilis (Fringeleaf wild petunia) Here is more information from Missouri Botanical Garden.
Ruellia metziae (White ruellia) Here is more information from BackyardNature.
Ruellia nudiflora (Violet ruellia) Here is more information from the Image Archive of Central Texas Plants and Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers.
Ruellia occidentalis (Western wild petunia)
However, the non-native Mexican species, Ruellia caerulea [synonyms=R. brittoniana, R. simplex, R. simplex] (Britton's petunia) is on the Texas Invasives list and the University of Florida's Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants list and is definitely aggressive. Its seed dispersal mechanism is one reason that it is able to invade new areas so easily—the seed capsule explodes and the seeds can fly long distances, as far as 30 feet. Ruellia caearulea is the petunia most likely to be sold in large commercial nurseries.
From the Image Gallery
More Invasive Plants Questions
Ivy for wall cover in Dallas
August 03, 2009 - I am trying to cover older apartments with Ivy to create a beautiful exterior look, but after reading several articles on how the Texas Sun kills Ivy, I would like to know what plant can I use to crea...
view the full question and answer
Bermuda, not the only option in Memphis
November 04, 2014 - I'm building an energy efficient home in Memphis and want to extend that strategy to the landscaping. I'd like to plant native grasses, but this lot is surrounded by lots sodded with Bermuda grass....
view the full question and answer
Ivy a suitable ground cover in Live Oaks from Gulfport MS
April 17, 2014 - Will Ivy be a safe and suitable ground cover for old growth Live Oak trees in coastal Mississippi?
view the full question and answer
Non-native ligustrum in non-native fescue in Medina TX
May 22, 2013 - Is there an effective way to kill baby ligustrums coming up in my fescue yard without harming the grass?
view the full question and answer
What is meant when Mimosa Tree is described as an invasive tree in San Antonio TX?
May 14, 2013 - When it is stated that the Mimosa Tree is invasive, does that mean that the Roots are invasive or does it mean that the seed pods will drop and make many more trees ?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |