Despite the name, this plant is not related to the
usual garden petunia at all - rather, it belongs to the ruellia genus.
Desert petunia is an extremely tough, drought-resistant plant with a
long bloom period. It is an evergreen perennial herb that forms
colonies of stalks standing 3 ft tall, and of indeterminate width. The
strong semi-woody stalks are distinctly vertical in aspect and hold
attractive dark green, leaves oppositely at the nodes. The lanceshaped
leaves are up to 0.5-1 ft long and 1.3-1.9 cm wide. When grown under
hot sunny conditions the leaves assume a metallic bluish cast. Flowers
are blue, trumpet shaped and about 3.5-5 cm in diameter and are borne
at the tips of the stems. Varieties with white, pink, and many shades
of blue are available, as are dwarf versions that form clumps that are
about 8-12 inches in height. Desert petunia is native to Mexico.
Identification credit: Dinesh Albertson W
Photographed in Delhi & Jaipur.
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The flower labeled Desert Petunia is ...