Japanese name: ムラサキルエリア Scientific name:Ruellia tuberosa
[Overview]
A perennial about 50 cm tall.
It has thick, spindle-shaped, tuber-like roots.
The stem is erect and 4-ridged, with slightly swollen nodes.
Leaves are simple and opposite, oblong-obovate, 4–8 cm long and 1.5–4 cm wide, glossy, with somewhat conspicuous veins.
The leaf margin is wavy or nearly entire.
From the leaf axils it produces cyme-like inflorescences with forked branches, or bears a single flower.
The flowers are blue-purple and funnel-shaped, about 3.5–4 cm across, with a 5-lobed tip and rounded lobes.
The fruit is a rod-shaped capsule about 2.5 cm long, which splits open when ripe to release the seeds.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by division.
It can overwinter outdoors in areas without frost.
As long as the site is sunny and well drained, it is not particular about soil and is easy to grow.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Fertilizer is not particularly necessary.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
