Ruellias
Ruellia · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (8 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Ruellias, scientifically known as Ruelliia, is a genus of flowering plants within the Acanthaceae family. Often found in tropical regions, these resilient shrubs are admired for their striking, tubular blooms. Beyond their aesthetic beauty, various species hold significant ethnobotanical value, being utilized in traditional medicine for diverse healing properties.
Names and Synonyms
Common Names
- Ruellias
- Wild Petunias
- wild petunia
Scientific Names
Accepted name
RuelliaSynonyms
- Dizygandra
- Arrhostoxylum
- Solaenacanthus
- Salpingacanthus
- Scorodoxylum
- Siphonacanthus
- Stenoschista
- Micraea
- Tremacanthus
- Tacoanthus
- Ulleria
- Lychniothyrsus
- Larysacanthus
- Pentstemonacanthus
- Pseudoruellia
- Benoicanthus
- Stephanophysum
- Pattersonia
- Endosiphon
- Aporuellia
- Alvarezia
- Cryphiacanthus
- Nothoruellia
- Copioglossa
- Neowedia
- Aphragmia
- Blechum
- Holtzendorffia
- Dipteracanthus
- Stemonacanthus
- Gymnacanthus
- Spirostigma
- Eurychanes
- Eusiphon
- Ophthalmacanthus
- Sclerocalyx
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Tés negros y parientes
German:
- Ruellien
- Ruellien
Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, it is further categorized into the family Acanthaceae. Its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Ruellia.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Acanthaceae |
| Genus | Ruellia |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across two different continents. In Southeastern Europe, its presence is specifically noted in the region of Sicilia. Moving toward West Tropical Africa, the species can be found within the borders of Benin and Burkina. Furthermore, the plant's range extends to the coastal and inland areas of Gambia. Finally, its distribution continues through the West Tropical African nation of Ghana.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| Southeastern Europe | Sicilia |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali |
| West Tropical Africa | Mauritania |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Chemicals
Ruellia has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Glycosides, triterpenoids.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Flavonoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Glycosides | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Flavonoids
- Acta poloniae pharmaceutica
Glycosides
- Acta poloniae pharmaceutica
triterpenoids
- Acta poloniae pharmaceutica
Medicinal Uses
Ruellia has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma, bronchitis, eczema, fever, high blood pressure.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| asthma | Acta poloniae pharmaceutica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bronchitis | Acta poloniae pharmaceutica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eczema | Acta poloniae pharmaceutica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | Acta poloniae pharmaceutica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| high blood pressure | Acta poloniae pharmaceutica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |