Difference between revisions of "Ruellia caroliniensis"

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==Ecology==
 
==Ecology==
 
===Habitat=== <!--Natural communities, human disturbed habitats, topography, hydrology, soils, light, fire regime requirements for removal of competition, etc.-->
 
===Habitat=== <!--Natural communities, human disturbed habitats, topography, hydrology, soils, light, fire regime requirements for removal of competition, etc.-->
In the Coastal Plain in Florida and Georgia, ''R. caroliniensis'' can be found in the edges of wooded floodplains, mesic hardwood floodplains, drying sand of open woodlands, flatwoods, sandy alluvial banks, shallow marshes, and on bluffs along the Apalachicola River (FSU Herbarium). Soils include sandy loams, sand, and loamy sand (FSU Herbarium). Associated species include oak, hickory, dogwood, pine, juniper and Magnolia (FSU Herbarium).
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In the Coastal Plain in Florida and Georgia, ''R. caroliniensis'' can be found in the edges of wooded floodplains, mesic hardwood floodplains, drying sand of open woodlands, flatwoods, sandy alluvial banks, shallow marshes, and on bluffs along the Apalachicola River (FSU Herbarium). Soils include sandy loams, sand, and loamy sand (FSU Herbarium). Associated species include oak, hickory, dogwood, pine, juniper and magnolia (FSU Herbarium).
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===Phenology=== <!--Timing off flowering, fruiting, seed dispersal, and environmental triggers.  Cite PanFlora website if appropriate: http://www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ -->
 
===Phenology=== <!--Timing off flowering, fruiting, seed dispersal, and environmental triggers.  Cite PanFlora website if appropriate: http://www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ -->
 
Flowers in August (FSU Herbarium).
 
Flowers in August (FSU Herbarium).

Revision as of 10:45, 15 December 2015

Ruellia caroliniensis
Ruellia caroliniensis Gil.jpg
Photo taken by Gil Nelson
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Order: Scrophulariales
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Ruellia
Species: R. caroliniensis
Binomial name
Ruellia caroliniensis
(J.F. Gmel.) Steud.
RUEL CARO dist.jpg
Natural range of Ruellia caroliniensis from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Common name: Carolina wild petunia

Taxonomic notes

Description

R. caroliniensis is a small perennial varying 31 to 52 centimeters tall with oval leaves 6.7 to 7.5 centimeters long. The bluish-purple flowers bloom in early spring until late summer with seed capsules 0.4 centimeters wide and 1.3 centimeters long with brown seeds enclosed (Wilson et al. 2004).

Distribution

R. caroliniensis is vulnerable to soil disturbances and is an indicator of native longleaf pine sites in southwestern Georgia (Kirkman 2004).

Ecology

Habitat

In the Coastal Plain in Florida and Georgia, R. caroliniensis can be found in the edges of wooded floodplains, mesic hardwood floodplains, drying sand of open woodlands, flatwoods, sandy alluvial banks, shallow marshes, and on bluffs along the Apalachicola River (FSU Herbarium). Soils include sandy loams, sand, and loamy sand (FSU Herbarium). Associated species include oak, hickory, dogwood, pine, juniper and magnolia (FSU Herbarium).

Phenology

Flowers in August (FSU Herbarium).

Seed dispersal

Seed bank and germination

Fire ecology

It was observed resprouting one month after a fire in July of 1993 (Pavon 1995).

Pollination

Use by animals

Diseases and parasites

Conservation and Management

Cultivation and restoration

Photo Gallery

References and notes

Kirkman, L.K., K.L. Coffey, R.J. Mitchell, and E.B. Moser. 2004. Ground Cover Recovery Patterns and Life-History Traits: Implications for Restoration Obstacles and Opportunities in a Species-Rich Savanna. Journal of Ecology 92:409-421

Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: July 2015. Collectors: Lisa Keppner, Ed Keppner, Loran C. Anderson, R.K. Godfrey, Cecil R Slaughter, Jimmy Meeks, R. Komarek, R. A. Norris. States and Counties: Florida: Bay, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Leon, Liberty, Marion, Okaloosa, Washington. Georgia: Grady. Compiled by Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy.

Pavon, M. L. 1995. Diversity and response of ground cover arthropod communities to different seasonal burns in longleaf pine forests. Tallahassee, Florida A&M University.

Wilson, Sandra B. and P. Chris Wilson. 2004. Growth and Development of the Native Ruellia caroliniensis and Invasive Ruellia tweediana. HortScience 39:1015-1019.