Petunia ×atkinsiana

Stems 0.9–10 dm. Leaf blades: proximalmost oblanceolate, distalmost lanceolate to ovate, 1–12 (including petiole) × 0.2–5 cm, margins entire. Pedicels 1–6 cm. Flowers: calyx 7–21 mm, lobes 4–16 mm; corolla white to pale pink with white tube (drying white to pale violet), veins green to deep pink or dark purple (drying brownish to deep violet), ± funnelform, tube 1.1–5.5 cm, limb 1.3–7 cm wide; stamens inserted at base or near midpoint of corolla tube, longest 2 just shorter than to just surpassing style; anthers and pollen blue, violet, or yellow; filaments blue, violet, or yellow; pistil 2–4.5 cm. Capsules 5–15 mm. 2n = 14.

Phenology: Flowering Apr–Oct(–Dec).
Habitat: Waste places, along rail­roads and roadsides, poor soil, gravel, or sand.
Elevation: 0–1600 m.

Distribution

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Introduced; Ont., Que., Ala., Ark., Calif., Conn., Fla., Ga., Ill., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Pa., S.C., Tex., Utah, Vt., Va., W.Va., Wis., introduced also in Europe, Asia, Australia.

Discussion

Petunia × atkinsiana is the most commonly natural­ized of the three species and is often robust. When fer­tile, it can spread by seed from cultivation and become established in disturbed areas. Some herbarium speci­mens probably represent waifs; it is often difficult to determine from label data. Cultivated plants are available in a wide range of colors and color patterns. Only white to pale pink morphs were seen in specimens representing naturalized populations; other color forms may be fertile and may occur outside of cultivation.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.