Dawn
This is called the Ruellia simplex. It is also commonly known as the Mexican petunia, Mexican bluebell or Britton’s wild petunia. This plant comes in colors of blue , pink and white. It grows like a weed. The seed pods crack open when they are dry or when moisture touches them and the seeds are fly out like a bullet from a gun. The seeds reach far and wide and start growing in cracks and crevices too with a help of a little rain.
With the kind of rain we are having in the last few months these plants are everywhere. These plants attracts ants and mealy bugs. As pretty as they are they tend to become an annoyance in my garden. Everyday I have to weed out 20-25 plants.
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Question of
Have you see the Mexican petunia where you live?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Can you see the ant on the flower?
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Yes
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No
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I have seen it but now thanks to you I have learned that the name is Ruellia simplex. The ant looks like pink.
we see these in other parts of the area, but where we live people tend to have very different types of flowers.
This one grows like a weed, So I bet people don’t want to have them in their gardens even if they are pretty.
Also, some weeds bloom very nicely, dear friend
Pretty weeds, very true. Thanks Lado for the visit and the comment.
With great pleasure, dear Dawn
Yes, these plants are very common here. I have planted them in my garden before and they were very easy to grow. Thanks for sharing this, as I have been finding what the name is for this flower.
A friend told me this flower is toxic and asked me not to plant in my garden. I wanted to find out more, but didn’t know what the name is. 🙂
No Kakal35 these are not in the list of toxic plants. Most plants aren’t unless pets or kids eat them. My dogs don’t even go near these. They know which leaves are edible. My dogs eat mint , spinach and such.
It looks very pretty. nice shot.
Thanks Fortune, I consider it as one of the pretty weeds in my garden. 😀
Yes, I see an ant on the flower.
Maybe take the macro photo?
I love taking Macros, I don’t think i took a one of this though.
A lovely bloom and pretty color.
I prefer the pinks and whites over the blues.
I don’t know if that plant is here. Yes I see ants everywhere! Thanks for sharing with us.
LOL I agree there are ants everywhere. We have them allover the place in the rainy season we have right now.
LOL I thought so too.
That ant cannot be missed surely (lol)