Life history

Species overview

Hairy Wild-petunia (Ruellia humilis), a State Endangered plant, is found in prairies and upland oak woods. Blooming occurs late May through early October; fruiting occurs late June through early October. The optimal identification period for this species is late May through early October.

Synonyms: Ruellia ciliosa var. longiflora, Ruellia humilis var. calvescens, Ruellia humilis var. depauperata, Ruellia humilis var. expansa, Ruellia humilis var. frondosa, Ruellia humilis var. humilis, Ruellia humilis var. longiflora

Identification

• Distinguishing characteristics: Leaves sessile or subsessile; petiole, if any, less than 3 mm; fruit smooth.
• Flower characteristics: Flowers in sessile or subsessile, crowded cymose clusters from the axils of several upper leaves; calyx lobes less than 1 mm wide; corolla blue-lavender, 3 to 7 cm, funnelform, 5-lobed; stamens 4, weakly united in pairs toward the base, the lower pair somewhat longer.
• Fruit characteristics: Smooth.
• Leaf characteristics: Opposite, sessile or subsessile, 3 to 8 cm long, acute to very obtuse.

Phenology

• Blooming phenology: late May through early October
• Fruiting phenology: late June through early October
• Optimum time to identify: late May through early October

Other

• Growth form: Forb-erect
• Vegetative reproduction:
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Comments: Associated Species: Andropogon scoparius, Euphorbia corollata, Lithospermum canescens, Petalostemum purpureum, Ratibida pinnata, Lespedeza capitata, Helianthus occidentalis.

State status

Status and Natural Heritage Inventory documented occurrences in Wisconsin

The table below provides information about the protected status - state and federal - and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Hairy Wild-petunia (Ruellia humilis). See the Working List Key for more information about abbreviations. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.

Habitats and landscapes

The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which each of Wisconsin's rare plant species is associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.

General habitat information

• Habitat description: Found in prairies and upland oak woods.
• Soils: Sandy, loamy soils.

Natural communities

This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Hairy Wild-petunia. Scores for natural community associations are: "significant" association (score=3), "moderate association" (score=2) or the species can be present but is only weakly associated with the community (score=1).

Ecological landscapes

This table lists the ecological landscape association scores for Hairy Wild-petunia. The scores (3=High, 2=Moderate, 1=Low, 0=None) also correspond to the map.

Species guidance

The Endangered Resources Program has developed avoidance measures and management guidelines for plants on the Natural Heritage Working List. These are a work in progress, and we welcome your suggestions and feedback. Sources used in developing this information can be found here.

Avoidance measures

These are specific actions designed to avoid "take" (mortality) of this species.

• Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.
• Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides; use care with spot spraying.

Management guidance

Management guidelines are additional considerations that may help maintain or enhance habitat for this species

• Maintain and restore open habitat through selective clearing and brushing.
• Prescribed burns and/or brushing may be beneficial (dependent on local site conditions).

Other resources

Links to additional Hairy Wild-petunia information

• Grassland and Savanna Protocols
• NatureServe Explorer information [exit DNR]

Other links related to vascular plants (all exit the DNR website)

• Wisconsin Vascular Plants
• Freckmann Herbarium
• Atlas of Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora - Wisconsin State Herbarium
• USDA - NRCS Plants Database
• USGS Midwestern Wetland Flora - field office guide to plant species
• eFloras
• Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Herbarium
• Intermountain Herbarium Grasses of North America
• Orchids of Wisconsin

Photos

Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating a photo to the Endangered Resources Program for educational uses. Photo use