Reullia peninsularis     
Desert ruellia   
Acanthaceae Family     

Form: dense rounded shrub
Seasonality: evergreen; may drop leaves in response to cold
Size: 2-4ft with equal spread
Leaves: elliptical, dark green resinous
Flowers: blue trumpet-shaped flower; blooms spring to fall, best color in late spring
Fruit: small oblong seed

	leaf and flower details on Ruellia peninsularis

Stems/Trunks: not ornamental, solid gray
Range/Origin: Baja California and lower Sonoran desert
Hardiness: twig damage starts in high 20s; recovers quickly

LANDSCAPE VALUE:

• specimen
• informal hedge
• along roadsides
• xeriscapes

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: full sun; gets leggy in shade
• Water: drought tolerant; survives on 1-2 irrigations per month but also handles high levels
• Soil: adaptable; good drainage
• Propagation: vegetative cuttings; seed
• Maintenance: minimal; removal of frost damage

Ruellia peninsularis

NOTES:

aka Baja reullia

return to common name index				return to Botanical name index
	browse by common name				browse by botanical name

This page was first created July 20, 2001 and last modified December 22, 2003.

---

Web page design and photographs by Toni Moore, Master Gardener
email to: tmoore1@flash.net

© 2004 Arizona Board of Regents. All contents copyrighted. All rights reserved.