1. Mexican Petunia Ruellia brittoniana (Leonard) Acanthaceae

2. Biology Native to Central AmericaNative to Central America Perennial herbaceous plantPerennial herbaceous plant Grows under a wide range of conditionsGrows under a wide range of conditions –Sun vs. shade –Moist vs. dry –Tropical vs. temperate

3. Background Economic Uses Used extensively as an ornamental plantUsed extensively as an ornamental plant Ground cover, edging plant for flower bedsGround cover, edging plant for flower beds Multitude of cultivarsMultitude of cultivars

4. Distribution Found throughout much of north and central FloridaFound throughout much of north and central Florida Commonly found in disturbed areas, but will invade hardwood hammocks, flatwoods, prairies and other natural areasCommonly found in disturbed areas, but will invade hardwood hammocks, flatwoods, prairies and other natural areas Frequently found along rivers – spread via seed?Frequently found along rivers – spread via seed?

5. Impacts Category I invasive species (FLEPPC)Category I invasive species (FLEPPC) –Disrupts natural plant communities Shade out desirable species, especially native seedlings and understory plantsShade out desirable species, especially native seedlings and understory plants Resprouts readily from crowns or rootstocksResprouts readily from crowns or rootstocks Heavy seed set within the first year – acts like an annual speciesHeavy seed set within the first year – acts like an annual species

6. Identification

7. Mature Plant Stalk forming perennialStalk forming perennial Generally 2 to 3 feet tallGenerally 2 to 3 feet tall Creeping rootstocks form a dense thicketCreeping rootstocks form a dense thicket

8. Leaves Opposite arrangementOpposite arrangement Dark green, with smooth or wavy marginsDark green, with smooth or wavy margins Prominent veins on underside of leafProminent veins on underside of leaf Foliage appears metallic blue in sunlightFoliage appears metallic blue in sunlight

9. Flowers and Fruit Trumpet-shaped flowersTrumpet-shaped flowers Solitary or borne in clusters at tips of stemsSolitary or borne in clusters at tips of stems Multitude of colorsMultitude of colors Fruit is cylindrical, containing 4 to 20 seedsFruit is cylindrical, containing 4 to 20 seeds

10. Management PreventativeCulturalMechanicalBiologicalChemical

11. Preventative 1.Limit planting as an ornamental 2.Remove existing plants, including resprouts and before seeds are produced 3.Rouge out plants in abandoned areas, targeting plants near water initially to prevent seed dispersal by water

12. Cultural 1.Alternative landscape plants to replace Mexican petunia 2.Programs to educate homeowners about the problems associated with this plant and proper identification 3.Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce seedling establishment

13. Biological 1.There are no known biological control agents available for Mexican petunia management in Florida or the southeastern U.S.

14. Mechanical 1.Hand pull young seedlings, including all roots, repeated pulling for resprouts 2.Mowing or clipping is effective, but must be repeated due to resprouting from rootstocks. However, mowing may not be practical in many areas. 3.Tillage is also effective, likely not practical; however will stimulate germination of seed in soil

15. Chemical 1.Over-the-top applications of glyphosate or triclopyr at 1 to 2% solution plus 0.25% surfactant 2.Cut plants, then retreat regrowth 3.Other herbicides are currently being tested

17. Useful Links United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Plants Database: http://plants.usda.govhttp://plants.usda.gov Invasives and Exotic Species of North America: http://www.invasives.orghttp://www.invasives.org University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants: http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/welcome.html

18. Useful Links University of Florida’s Cooperative Extension Electronic Data Information Source: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/index.html http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/index.html Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER). Plant Threats to Pacific Ecosystems: http://www.hear.org/pier/threats.htm http://www.hear.org/pier/threats.htm

19. Useful Links The Hillsborough County Invasive Species Task Force: Identification and control of non-native invasive plants in the Tampa Bay Area: http://www.tbep.org/pdfs/Invasive_Pla nts.pdf http://www.tbep.org/pdfs/Invasive_Pla nts.pdf http://www.sna.org/research/02proce edings/section0128.htmlhttp://www.sna.org/research/02proce edings/section0128.html

20. Literature Cited Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. 1998. Identification and Biology of Non- Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 ppLangeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. 1998. Identification and Biology of Non- Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 pp Krumfolz, L.A. and S.B. Wilson. 2002. Varying growth and sexual reproduction across cultivars of Ruellia brittoniana. University of Florida, Department of Environmental Horticulture. SNA Research Conference, Vol 47, p. 99.Krumfolz, L.A. and S.B. Wilson. 2002. Varying growth and sexual reproduction across cultivars of Ruellia brittoniana. University of Florida, Department of Environmental Horticulture. SNA Research Conference, Vol 47, p. 99.