Wild Petunia (Ruellia ciliosa or humilis) produces lavender flowers in the mid to late summer. Native to eastern North America, it is a larval host plant for the Common Buckeye butterfly. Butterflies enjoy its nectar, as do native bees, especially sweat, small carpenter, and leafcutter bees. Ruellia humilis also attracts hoverflies, a beneficial insect that feeds on aphids.

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This Wild Petunia is a Florida native found throughout the northern and central parts of the state. A low growing plant attaining heights of approximately 4 to 6 inches with a spread of 12 to 24 inches, it is also called Ciliate Wild Petunia (ciliate meaning "fringed with hairs" ) and it forms a rosette of basal, soft, pubescent leaves. Blooms occur from spring through fall and may be purple to pale purple or almost white in color; blooms last only one day.

In my garden this plant has a low growing, spreading habit, sending out roots at nodes all along the stems. It produces blooms from early spring, throughout the summer and into the fall and is growing in morning sun areas as well as full shade locations in the garden. I've read that Ruellia ciliosa will also grow in full sun so I plan to transplant a bit of it to see how it fares in that situation.

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In the midwest, plant is found in dry woods, open woods (especially where soils are rocky or sandy), savannas, prairies, and limestone glades.
Wildflower.

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