Stems 0.3–150 cm, glabrous or viscid-pubescent, hairs usually fine, simple. Leaves: petiole 0–5 cm; blade ovate to cordate. Pedicels 0–15 mm. Flowers: calyx length 1/4–1/2 times corolla tube, glabrous or viscid-pubescent; corolla blue or violet with white or yellow center or entirely white, without hairs enclosing mouth, 1–12 cm, limb spreading. Seeds prismatic, to 1 mm, reticulate-foveolate. 2n = 22.

Phenology: Flowering Jun–Aug.
Habitat: Disturbed sites.
Elevation: 0–1000 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Introduced; Conn., Fla., Ga., La., Mass., Miss., Central America, South America, introduced also in Mexico, Asia, Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, Pacific Islands, Australia.

Discussion

Browallia americana is highly variable. It may be an ephemeral annual or a shrub. Native to the Andes of northwestern South America, and perhaps Central America, it has been introduced in tropical and subtrop­ical areas around the world. The variable vegetative morphology in Peru and Ecuador has challenged taxon­omists and resulted in over 30 synonyms (J. F. Macbride 1962; A. H. Gentry 1993; D. J. Mabberley 2008).

In the flora area, Browallia americana sometimes escapes from cultivation. The cultivated plants do not retain the variability found where they are native, and only blue-, violet-, and white-flowered forms are in the nursery trade.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.