Common name: Limestone Ruellia, Limestone wild petunia
Botanical name: Ruellia strepens Family: Acanthaceae (Barleria family) Synonyms: Dipteracanthus micranthus, Dipteracanthus strepens
Limestone Ruellia is a perennial herb, 1-3 ft tall. Oppositely arranged
stalked leaves are ovate, ovate-lanceshaped, to oblong, typically entire
or merely crenulate, up to 15 cm long, 6 cm wide. Leaf stalks is typically
winged. One or two flowers arise on a stalk from leaf axils near the
middle of stem. Flowers are subtended by a pair of leaf-like bracts.
Flowers are up to 5 cm long, 4cm broad, with 5 petals, typically blue or
pinkish blue. Flowers have a a constricted portion at base, which is
white, up to 2.5 cm long, 3 mm in diameter. Expanded portion of the flower
tube is up to 1 cm long, 1 cm in diameter. Petals are 1.5 cm long and
broad. Stamens are 4, as in all Barleria family flowers. Flowering: May-October.
Identification credit: Prashant Awale
| Photographed at Sohra forest, Cherapunjee, Meghalaya. |
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