Ruellia Elegans

Ruellia Elegans Latest News 

A new study has flagged the threat to native biodiversity from a botanical Brazilian beauty Ruellia elegans.

About Ruellia Elegans

• It derives its name from its pleasing appearance or elegance is native to Brazil.
• It is predominantly thriving in wet tropical biome.
• It is commonly known as the Brazilian petunia, Christmas pride, elegant Ruellia, red Ruellia, and wild petunia.
• It is one of four invasive species of the Acanthoideae sub-family in India, the others being Ruellia ciliatiflora, Ruellia simplex, and Ruellia tuberosa.
• It was introduced in the Andaman Islands, apart from Jamaica and Puerto Rico.
• Beyond the Andaman Islands, the invasive plant was recorded from Odisha almost a decade ago.

Impacts of Invasive Species on Biodiversity

• Invasive plant species are a problem because they can rapidly spread and outcompete native plants for resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients.
• They disrupt ecosystems by altering biodiversity, impacting wildlife habitats, and potentially causing the decline or extinction of native species, often leading to significant economic and environmental damage.

Ruellia Elegans FAQs

Q1: Where do ruellia grow best?

Ans: Ruellia grows well in our humid Southern climate 

Q2: What is Ruellia used for?

Ans: For the treatment of flu, asthma, fever, bronchitis, high blood pressure, eczema, and diabetes.

Source: TH