Description

• Ruellia blechum is a low-growing, herbaceous plant in the acanthus family (Acanthaceae), commonly known as green shrimp plant or Blechum.

• It has branching, often sprawling stems and opposite, ovate to lance-shaped leaves with pointed tips and toothed margins.

• Small, pale purple to whitish flowers grow among conspicuous green bracts arranged in dense, spike-like clusters near the ends of the stems.

• The fruits are narrow capsules that split open when mature, releasing small seeds.

• The plant can spread readily in favourable conditions and is sometimes treated as a weed in gardens and disturbed areas.

Range

• Native to tropical America, including Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of South America.

• It is native to Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.

Habitat

• Grows in tropical forests, scrub, woodland edges, gardens, roadsides, and other disturbed habitats.

• Often found in partially shaded locations with moist, well-drained soil, but can tolerate sunnier conditions.

• Commonly establishes beneath shrubs and trees or in open patches of disturbed ground in warm climates.