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Ruellia simplex

C.Wright (1870)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Acanthaceae Genus: Ruellia

Mexican petunia

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Erect perennial herbs.

Stems: Lower stems sometimes becoming somewhat woody, 0.5–1 m long.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite and decussate (pairs of leaves alternating 90 degrees between nodes). Blades linear-elliptic to linear-lanceolate, 8-22 cm long, 0.8-1.5 cm wide. Surfaces glabrate, green; lower surfaces conspicuously paler. Margins entire. Petioles 20–24 mm long. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in cymose panicles. Flowers bisexual (perfect). Each subtended by 2 linear bracts 3–7 mm long. Calyx lobes 5, linear, 8–12 mm long. Corolla 5-lobed, large and showy, lavender, the throat purple, 4–4.5 cm long. Stamens 4, in pairs, inserted on the corolla alternate with the lobes, sometimes 1 or more reduced to staminodes; anthers dithecal, opening by longitudinal slits. Ovary superior, 2-carpellate; ovule placentation axile; style filiform, simple.

Fruit: Capsules with two cells; usually dehiscing explosively; ellipsoid; 2–2.5 cm long; glabrous. Seeds 4–20; On small hooked stalks (modified funiculus) that ejects the seeds from the capsule; embryos usually large; endosperm absent.

Ploidy: 2n = 34

Habitat: Now naturalized and often found in dry habitats such as cracks in sidewalks and disturbed; shaded gulch bottoms.

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Naturalized
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Potentially Naturalizing
Maui Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean
Other Animals

Vegetative Reproduction

Pollinators

Notes

  • Description digitized by Pumehana Imada
  • Native to Mexico; in Hawai‘i cultivated as an ornamental but easily escaping. This species is sometimes confused with Ruellia malacosperma Greenm., which does not occur in Hawai‘i, and differs from R. brittoniana in having shorter lanceolate

Bibliography

Name Published In: Anales Acad. Ci. Méd. Habana 6: 321 (1870)

Other References

Wagner, W. L., Herbst, D. R., & Sohmer, S. H. (1999). Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai'i, Vols. 1 and 2 (No. Edn 2). University of Hawai'i and Bishop Museum Press.

Wagner et al. 1990:174 (Mi, K, O); Oppenheimer & Bartlett 2002:2 (WM); Staples & Herbst 2005:80, 81, 91 (KEY), 91 (DESCR)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Scientific Name Authorship Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Kaimuki, Honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN s.n. Oahu BISH 4/20/1905
2 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Pan Am hotel; Sand Island Moist, partial shade; adjacent to abandoned building. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Conant, S. 127 Midway Atoll BISH 7/16/1983
3 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Honolulu Harbor PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Collector Number: s.n. Oahu BISH 10/1/1953
4 Ruellia simplex C.Wright honolulu: manoa valley; university of hawaii manoa campus, along manoa stream Naturalized, common along stream. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN herbst, d.r. ishikawa, s. collector number: 5299 Oahu BISH 5/9/1975
5 Ruellia simplex C.Wright kipapa; army nursery Andropogon glomeratus grassland community on ash-covered pahoehoe lava PRESERVED_SPECIMEN neal, m.c. collector number: s.n. Hawaii BISH 7/30/1946
6 Ruellia simplex C.Wright pan am hotel; sand island Moist, partial shade; adjacent to abandoned building. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN conant, s. collector number: 127 Midway Atoll BISH 7/16/1983
7 Ruellia simplex C.Wright mokuleia beach, oahu pond PRESERVED_SPECIMEN otto degener 35, 27/b CM 7/30/1983
8 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Kaunakakai, outside town to W along road Random plants in Mesembryanthemum. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Oppenheimer, H.L. Collector Number: H70122 Molokai BISH 7/14/2001
9 Ruellia simplex C.Wright PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener 35271a MPM
10 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Mokuleia Beach, Oahu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.|Degener, I. 35271b HO 7/1/1983
11 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Mililani, off of Hwy. 99, under bridge. Plot 9101. US Forest Service Pacific Forest Inventory and Analysis. Weedy lowland Leucaena-Urochloa maxima scrubland w/ riparian zone. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Natalia Tangalin 2271 Oahu PTBG 2/4/2010
12 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Garden, 59-864 Kamehameha Hwy Cultivated PRESERVED_SPECIMEN C. R. Annable 3712 NY 9/8/1997
13 Ruellia simplex C.Wright waimea arboretum & botanical garden, 59-864 kamehameha hwy Cultivated PRESERVED_SPECIMEN c. r. annable 3712 NY 9/8/1997
14 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Relict garden plant (?) at site of Mana Sugar Camp, j unction of Hwy 50 and Mana Road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lynwood Hume 432 Kauai PTBG 10/18/1989
15 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Kaunakakai, outside town to West along road, in Mesembryanthemum. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hank Oppenheimer H70122 Molokai PTBG 7/14/2001
16 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Wailuku, Reservoir #74, east of Maui Community Correctional Center. Wetland habitat. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN V. Caraway s.n. Maui PTBG 1/17/2001
17 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Bishop Museum, Maintenance Compound. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Joel Lau 1104 Oahu PTBG 6/17/1985
18 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Lawai, near cannery on Lauoho Road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 282 Kauai PTBG 8/3/1982
19 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Lahaina town. 20 ft. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hank Oppenheimer H70094 Maui PTBG 7/17/2000
20 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Honolulu, Kamehameha Girls' School PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Judd, A. F.; Bryan Jr., E. H.; Ning, W. S. s.n. Oahu US 9/25/1937
21 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Mokuleia Beach; Degener garden. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.; Degener, I. 35271 Oahu US 5/26/1981
22 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Bishop Museum, Maintance Area PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lau, J. 1104 Oahu US 6/17/1985
23 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Wailuku, Reservoir #74, east of Maui Community Correctional Centre. Wetland habitat. Monoculture in the wetland site, covering ca. 2 acres. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN V. Caraway, F. Duvall & C. Alexander s.n. Maui US 1/17/2001
24 Ruellia simplex C.Wright University of Hawaii at Manoa, along Manoa Stream. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Herbst, D. R.; Ishikawa, S. 5299 Oahu US 5/9/1975
25 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Wailuku, Reservoir #74, east of Maui Community Correctional Centre. Wetland habitat. Monoculture in the wetland site, covering ca. 2 acres. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Caraway, V.; Duvall, F.; Alexander, C. s.n. Maui US 2001-00-00
26 Ruellia simplex C.Wright honolulu, kamehameha girls' school PRESERVED_SPECIMEN a. judd, e. bryan jr. & w. ning s.n. Oahu US 9/25/1937
27 Ruellia simplex C.Wright wailuku, reservoir #74, east of maui community correctional centre. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN v. caraway, f. duvall & c. alexander s.n. Molokai US 1/17/2001
28 Ruellia simplex C.Wright university of hawaii at manoa, along manoa stream. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN d. r. herbst & s. ishikawa 5299 Oahu US 5/9/1975
29 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Mokuleia Beach PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 36602 Oahu US 6/1/1984
30 Ruellia simplex C.Wright bishop museum, maintance area PRESERVED_SPECIMEN j. lau 1104 Oahu US 6/17/1985
31 Ruellia simplex C.Wright waimea arboretum PRESERVED_SPECIMEN annable, c.r. canham, s. collector number: 3712 Oahu BISH 9/8/1997
32 Ruellia simplex C.Wright mokuleia beach PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener 36602 Oahu US
33 Ruellia simplex C.Wright mokuleia beach; degener garden. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener & i. degener 35271 Oahu US 5/26/1981
34 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Honolulu, 3797 Diamond Head Circle PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Neal, M.C. 2 Oahu BISH 4/20/1963
35 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Mokuleia Beach; Degener garden Persistent in garden after cultivation. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 35271 Oahu BISH 5/26/1981
36 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Kipapa; Army Nursery PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Neal, M.C. s.n. Oahu BISH 7/30/1946
37 Ruellia simplex C.Wright honolulu, waikahululu, nuuanu stream at school street bridge Cement stream bed. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN fosberg, f.r. collector number: 27098 Oahu BISH 9/22/1946
38 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Wailuku, Reservoir #74, E of Maui Community Correctional Center, Wetland habitat. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Caraway, V. s.n. Maui BISH 1/17/2001
39 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Honolulu, Waikahululu, Nuuanu Stream at School Street Bridge Cement stream bed. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Fosberg, F.R. 27098 Oahu BISH 9/22/1946
40 Ruellia simplex C.Wright honolulu: bishop museum, maintenance area PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lau, j. collector number: 1104 Oahu BISH 6/17/1985
41 Ruellia simplex C.Wright kaimuki, honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 8/8/1937
42 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Waimea Arboretum PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Annable, C.R. 3712 Oahu BISH 9/8/1997
43 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Honolulu: Bishop Museum, maintenance area PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lau, J. 1104 Oahu BISH 6/17/1985
44 Ruellia simplex C.Wright honolulu harbor PRESERVED_SPECIMEN collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 10/1/1953
45 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St. John, H. 10515 Oahu BISH 4/28/1930
46 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Mokuleia Beach; Degener garden Persistent in garden after cultivation. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 35271 Oahu BISH 5/1/1980
47 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Honolulu, Kamehameha Girls' School PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Judd Jr., A.F. s.n. Oahu BISH 9/25/1937
48 Ruellia simplex C.Wright wailuku, reservoir #74, e of maui community correctional center, roadside, dry open, disturbed PRESERVED_SPECIMEN caraway, v. duvall, f.; alexander, c. collector number: s.n. Hawaii BISH 1/17/2001
49 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Honolulu Harbor PRESERVED_SPECIMEN s.n. Oahu BISH 10/1/1953
50 Ruellia simplex C.Wright mokuleia beach; degener garden Persistent in garden after cultivation. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. degener, i. collector number: 35271 Oahu BISH 5/1/1980
51 Ruellia simplex C.Wright PRESERVED_SPECIMEN otto degener & isa degener 35271 FLAS 5/8/1980
52 Ruellia simplex C.Wright kaunakakai, outside town to w along road Random plants in Mesembryanthemum. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN oppenheimer, h.l. collector number: h70122 Molokai BISH 7/14/2001
53 Ruellia simplex C.Wright w maui, lahaina district, lahaina town Volunteers in yard and at edge of pavement. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN oppenheimer, h.l. collector number: h70094 Maui BISH 7/17/2000
54 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St.John, H. Collector Number: 10515 Oahu BISH 4/28/1930
55 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Relict garden plant (?) at site of Mana Sugar Camp, jct of Hwy 50 and Mana Rd PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hume, L. 432 Kauai BISH 10/18/1989
56 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Waialua PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.|Degener, I. s.n. Molokai HAPI 7/1/1983
57 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Kaunakakai, outside town to W along road Random plants in Mesembryanthemum. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Oppenheimer, H.L. H70122 Molokai BISH 7/14/2001
58 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Pan Am hotel; Sand Island Moist, partial shade; adjacent to abandoned building. PreservedSpecimen Conant, S. Collector Number: 127 Midway Atoll BISH Specimen 7/16/1983
59 Ruellia simplex C.Wright honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. collector number: 10515 Oahu BISH 4/28/1930
60 Ruellia simplex C.Wright relict garden plant (?) at site of mana sugar camp, jct of hwy 50 and mana rd PRESERVED_SPECIMEN hume, l. flynn, t. collector number: 432 Kauai BISH 10/18/1989
61 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Waimea Arboretum PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Annable, C.R. Canham, S. Collector Number: 3712 Oahu BISH 9/8/1997
62 Ruellia simplex C.Wright Honolulu: Manoa Valley; University of Hawaii Manoa Campus, along Manoa Stream Naturalized, common along stream. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Herbst, D.R. 5299 Oahu BISH 5/9/1975
63 Ruellia simplex C.Wright W Maui, Lahaina District, Lahaina Town Volunteers in yard and at edge of pavement. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Oppenheimer, H.L. H70094 Maui BISH 7/17/2000
64 Ruellia simplex C.Wright honolulu, 3797 diamond head circle PRESERVED_SPECIMEN neal, m.c. collector number: 2 Oahu BISH 4/20/1963
65 Ruellia simplex C.Wright mokuleia beach; degener garden Persistent in garden after cultivation. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. degener, i. collector number: 35271 Oahu BISH 5/26/1981
66 Ruellia simplex C.Wright W Maui, Lahaina District, Lahaina Town Volunteers in yard and at edge of pavement. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Oppenheimer, H.L. Collector Number: H70094 Maui BISH 7/17/2000
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