Ruellia diversifolia

Family: Acanthaceae

What it is like

A herb or small shrub. It keeps growing from year to year. The stems are white and woody. The leaves have a smell. The leaves are pale green and hairy. They have sticky glands. It grows up to 1.2 m high. The flowers are tube shaped and vary in colour. They can be pink, red, or yellow.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in places with a marked dry season. It suits hot arid areas. It grows on slopes and in deserts and in southern Africa grows between 350-1,850 m above sea level. It can tolerate shade. It is often in dry riverbeds. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Namibia, Southern Africa (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Nectar

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Dintercanthus marlothii (Engl.) Schinz; Ruellia velutina (Schinz) E. Phillips;