Browallia viscosa
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- bro-WAL-lee ah vis-KOH-sah
- Description
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The Browallia is a tropical flowering annual that has blue colors with white centers and green ovate-shaped leaves. It grows as a bushy mound and measures 8 inches to 2 feet tall. The plant is a member of the Solanaceae or Nightshade Family.
It is native to Central America and parts of South America. The plant was first described and named by a German botanist, Karl Sigismund Kunth, in 1818.
The genus name, Browallia, honors the Swedish theologian, botanist, and physicist, Johannes Browallis.
Browallia prefers sunlight and afternoon shade and rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil. Because of their lack of tolerance to cold temperatures, they are best grown in containers or used as an annual. Pinching back the terminal growth of the plant will encourage a bushy appearance. It is propagated by seeds.
The green leaves are simple, alternate, and ovate in shape. The flowers are star-like and tubular with 5 lobes. The blue blooms with white centers are present from June to September.
Browallia may be grown in containers, window boxes, or hanging baskets for use as either indoor or outdoor plants. Hummingbirds are attracted to this genus of plants.
Caution:
The Browallia 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 may occur.
Diseases, Pests, and Other Problems:
Browallia has no serious diseases or pests. Aphids, thrips, spider mites, leafhoppers, and whiteflies may be seen.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Sapphire'
Blue flowers, compact plant
- 'Sapphire'
- 'Sapphire'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Sapphire'
Blue flowers, compact plant
- 'Sapphire'
- 'Sapphire'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Browallia
- Species:
- viscosa
- Family:
- Solanaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central America to W. Bolivia
- Distribution:
- Native: Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, El Salvador Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Peru
- Wildlife Value:
- Hummingbirds are attracted to this family of plants.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are inconspicuous.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are up to 2 inches wide, star-shaped and tubular with 5 lobes, and are blue in color with white centers. They typically bloom from June to September.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are green, ovate with entire margins, and measure from 2-4 inches long.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Hummingbirds
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
