Ruellia elegans :
A new study has flagged the threat to native biodiversity from a botanical Brazilian beauty Ruellia elegans.
- R. elegans derives its name from its pleasing appearance or elegance.
- It is native to Brazil and predominantly thrives in wet tropical biome.
- It is commonly known as the Brazilian petunia, Christmas pride, elegant Ruellia, red Ruellia, and wild petunia.
- It is one of four invasive plant species of the Acanthoideae sub-family in India, the others being Ruellia ciliatiflora, Ruellia simplex, and Ruellia tuberosa.
- It was introduced in the Andaman Islands. Beyond the Andaman Islands, the invasive plant was recorded from Odisha almost a decade ago.
- Invasive plant species are problem because they can rapidly spread and outcompete native plants for resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients.
- They disrupt ecosystems by altering biodiversity, impacting wildlife habitats and potentially causing the decline or extinction of native species, often leading to significant economic and environmental damage.
