Wild Petunia grows well in the Noosa shire and is hard to control once it takes hold. It’s a popular choice to add colour to gardens as it flowers year-round and the flowers are a pretty pink/red colour.

This weed spreads quickly and is hard to remove by hand as it breaks easily. It grows well in shade and sun.

It is one to avoid adding to your garden and needs to be removed or contained if already in place.

Common name: Wild Petunia

Scientific name: Stephanophysum longifolium / Ruellia brevifolia

Native to: Brazil

Family: Acanthaceae

Habit: herb / shrub

Flowers: pink / red

Dispersal method: seed

Control measures: manual removal or spray