This flower I've only seen at a park I regularly rollerblade at in Lakeland, FL. I don't know if it's a native FL plant or not, the park people do not know either. They grow on tall stock's up to 8 feet high with long skinny leaves about 6-8" long & up to 1 1/4" wide. There are two varities at the park this tall one that has purple flowers, & a shorter one, about 2 feet tall, that has pink flowers.
The following was received from David Bar-Zvi of Fairchild Tropical Garden in Miami, Florida, in response to this question: The plant looks like Ruellia brittoniana. Selected cultivars are planted fairly commonly. They range in color from white through pink to purple. The tall purple plants are the most common but there are also some select cvs. which are more compact. The species hails from Mexico and has escaped in some places, (including my garden). They have the interesting habit of forcibly releasing their seeds with the first touch of rain. Their semi-woody habit allows them to be cut back and occasionally they can be seen grown in low hedges as borders. Weedy though they may be at times, I like them for the color they provide in summer when many things can melt in our summer weather. I hope this is helpful. David Bar-Zvi
Much thanks! That looks like it! Though from reading about Roellia Brittoniana, I've found info that suggests they only reach 3-4 feet so maybe this is another variety. the plants at the park are on average 4-5 feet with many reaching 6 feet, & a single stalk that easily rises up 8 feet from the ground. My mom wants to plant a bunch of these along her chainlink fence kind of like a natural privacy fence & from what I've read they should do quite nicely. Thanks Again
Upon the occassion of rain, or simply watering your garden, the small ,elongated seed pods explode. Two pod halves, looking like curved canoes,appear as if by magic. Inside each 'canoe', there are little "seats", each containg one seed. When the pod opens, usually with the first drops of water, the seeds in each "seat" are exploded into the landscape. These are a plant that, if you have one, you have a thousand. Much of my weeding is not of weeds and/or various grasses, but of ruellia. Should the interest arise, they are generally so hardy that no care need be taken when pulling for potting or transplant. Just rip 'em out and stick them in a pot or in the ground, since they are both hardy and cooperative. Weedy as heck! Pretty though.
