Browallia speciosa

The Amethyst Flower is a tropical flowering herbaceous perennial that has purplish-blue flowers with white centers and medium green ovate-shaped leaves. The plant has a rounded or cushion-like habit and grows up to 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide. It is frequently grown in the United States as a warm-weather annual. It is winter hardy in zones 9-11. The plant is a member of the Solanaceae or Nightshade Family. Other common names include Bush Violet, Browallia, Lovely Browallia, and Sapphire Flower. There are several varieties of plants to choose from. The Bell Series are best used in hanging plants. The Starlight Series is a more compact plant. The Troll Series is denser and best used as a container plant.

The Amethyst Flower is a native of Central and South America including Columbia, Costa Rica, Panama, and Peru.

The genus name, Browallia, honors the Swedish theologian, botanist, and physicist, Johannes Browallis. The species name, speciosa, means "showy."

This plant prefers warm weather, sunlight with afternoon shade, and evenly moist, well-drained soil.  Over-watering or over-fertilizing will promote foliage at the expense of flowers. It needs a space of at least 6-8 inches since it generally spreads 1 foot, but it can sometimes spread up to 3 feet. The Amethyst Flower is tolerant of sand, loam, and clay soils with a somewhat acidic pH. It is moderately fast-growing and requires very little maintenance. Pinching back the terminal growth will encourage a bushy appearance. It is propagated by seeds.

The leaves are 2 to 4 inches long, medium green, and ovate in shape with pointed tips. The flowers are up to 2 inches wide, star-like, and tubular with 5 lobes. They appear on long glabrous pedicles. The blooms are purplish-blue with a white center. The plant typically blooms from late spring to fall. 

The Amethyst Flower may be grown in a container or hanging basket, either indoors or outdoors. They are also recommended for flower beds, borders, mass plantings, woodlands, and rock gardens. Hummingbirds are attracted to their lovely flowers.

Caution:

The Amethyst Flower is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. Symptoms of poisoning include excessive drooling, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, slow heart rate, and death sometimes may occur.

Diseases, Pest, and Other Problems:

The Amethyst Flower has no serious diseases or pests.  Pests such as aphids, thrips, spider mites, leafhoppers, and whiteflies may occur.