Ruellia is a genus of flowering plants commonly known in English as ruellias or wild petunias. [2] But they are not closely related to Petunia (Petunia) although both belong to the same clan, euasterid. The genus is named in honor of Jean Ruelle, a herbalist and physicist to François I of France and a translator of several of Dioscorides' works.
Some genera that are considered stand-alone, are now regarded as synonyms of Ruellia, segment of Blechum segment, Eusiphon, Polylychnis and Ulleria are often incorporated into the genus Ruellia. But Acanthopale, now considered a different genus.
Ruellia popularly used as an ornamental plant. Some of them as medicinal plants, but many of them are known to be poisonous. The leaves are used as caterpillars from several Lepidoptera (butterflies). 
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