Carolina Wild Petunia

These little beauties are blooming all over our yard. Carolina Wild Petunia, Ruellia caroliniensis, is endemic to the southeastern U.S. Although there are five native species of Ruellia in Florida, caroliniensis  is the one I see most often. Butterflies love Ruellia and it's an appreciated nectar and pollen source for honey bees, native bees, wasps and hummingbirds. m