Ruellia elegans

Ruellia elegans is a species of flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae. It is a subshrub native to eastern and southern Brazil,^[1] where it grows in the Cerrado ecoregion.

Clade:Embryophytes

Clade:Tracheophytes

Clade:Spermatophytes

Clade:Angiosperms

Quick facts Scientific classification, Binomial name ...

Ruellia elegans
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Embryophytes
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Spermatophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Acanthaceae
Genus:	Ruellia
Species:	R. elegans
Binomial name
Ruellia elegans Poir. (1816)
Synonyms[1]
Arrhostoxylum elegans (Poir.) Bremek. & Nann.-Bremek. (1948) Arrhostoxylum formosum Nees (1847) Arrhostoxylum roseum Nees (1847) Arrhostoxylum silvaccola var. montanum Nees (1847) Asystasia formosa T.Anderson (1868) Ruellia formosa Andrews (1810), nom. illeg. Ruellia rosea (Nees) W.Bull (1878) Ruellia speciosa Mart. ex Nees (1847), not validly publ. Ruellia superba D.Dietr. (1821) Stemonacanthus formosus T.Anderson (1868)

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It is used as an ornamental plant, and it is pollinated by hummingbirds. Large scarlet-red blooms on & off from spring until first frost. Can take full sun with adequate moisture like in a tropical location but best in shade.

The plant forms a 12 inch by 24 inch in diameter mound of soft green foliage. It is usually described as an annual but because it reseeds it is thought of as a perennial.^[2]