Contents
Description
Browallia (Browallia speciosa) is a beautiful flowering plant that belongs to the family Solanaceae. This plant is native to South America and is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant around the world. Browallia is an annual or short-lived perennial plant that grows up to 60 cm tall. It produces clusters of blue or purple flowers with white centers that bloom from summer to fall.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain| Eukaryota ||————|———–|| Kingdom| Plantae|| Phylum| Spermatophyta || Class| Magnoliopsida || Order| Solanales || Family| Solanaceae || Genus| Browallia || Species| Browallia speciosa |
Appearance
Browallia has green, ovate or lanceolate leaves that are arranged alternately on the stem. The leaves are hairy and can grow up to 8 cm long. The plant produces small, blue or purple flowers that are about 2 cm in diameter. The flowers have five petals and a white center. They bloom from summer to fall and are followed by small, round, light brown seed capsules.
Care Guide
Browallia is a relatively easy plant to care for. Here are some tips to keep your plant healthy:- Water: Browallia should be watered regularly, but be careful not to overwater. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.- Fertilization: Use a balanced fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.- Soil: Browallia prefers well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.- Sunlight: Browallia prefers full sun to partial shade.- Hardiness Zones: Browallia can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 9-11.
Common Pests & Diseases
Browallia can be susceptible to pests and diseases, including spider mites, aphids, and powdery mildew. To prevent these problems, keep the plant well-watered and well-fed, and remove any infected leaves or stems.
Habitat
Browallia is native to South America and can be found growing in forest clearings, along roadsides, and in other open areas. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate a range of temperatures.
Question and Answer
Q: Can Browallia be grown indoors?
A: Yes, Browallia can be grown indoors as long as it receives enough sunlight.
Q: How often should Browallia be fertilized?
A: Browallia should be fertilized every two weeks during the growing season.
Q: Is Browallia toxic to pets?
A: Browallia is not considered toxic to pets or humans.
Q: How tall can Browallia grow?
A: Browallia can grow up to 60 cm tall.
Related Plants
– Petunia (Petunia x hybrida)- Nicotiana (Nicotiana alata)- Nemesia (Nemesia strumosa)- Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)
References
– American Horticultural Society. (1990). The American Horticultural Society A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. DK Publishing.- Missouri Botanical Garden. (2021). Browallia speciosa. Retrieved from https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=287674&isprofile=0&.- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. (2021). Browallia. Retrieved from https://www.kew.org/science/collections/botanical-reference-collections/browallia.
