Petunia

Petunia is a genus of 20 species of flowering plants of South American origin.<ref name="tpl">Template:Cite web</ref> The popular flower of the same name derived its epithet from the French, which took the word Template:Lang, 'tobacco', from a Tupi–Guarani language. A tender perennial plant, most of the varieties seen in gardens are hybrids (Petunia × atkinsiana, also known as Petunia × hybrida).

Taxonomy

Petunia is a genus in the family Solanaceae, subfamily Petunioideae. Well known members of Solanaceae in other subfamilies include tobacco (subfamily Nicotianoideae), and the cape gooseberry, tomato, potato, deadly nightshade and chili pepper (subfamily Solanoideae).<ref>“Classification for Kingdom Plantae Down to Family Solanaceae”. Natural Resources Conservation Service. United States Department of Agriculture. 2009. Web. July 8, 2009. [1]</ref> Some botanists place the plants of the genus Calibrachoa in the genus Petunia,<ref name=Ellis/> but this is not accepted by others.<ref>The Plant List: Petunia</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Kei-Ichiro ">Template:Cite journal</ref> Petchoa is a hybrid genus derived from crossing Calibrachoa and Petunia.<ref>The Value of Growing Petchoa SuperCal®. Ornamental News Oct 25 2012</ref>

Species

Species include:<ref>Template:Citation</ref> Template:Columns-list

Ecology

Petunias are generally insect pollinated, with the exception of P. exserta, which is a rare, red-flowered, hummingbird-pollinated species. Most petunias are diploid with 14 chromosomes and are interfertile with other petunia species,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Griesbach, R.J.(2007) in Flower breeding and genetics: Issues, challenges and opportunities for the 21st century, Petunia, ed Anderson N.O. (Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands), pp 301–336.</ref> as well as with Calibrachoa.

The tubular flowers are favoured by some Lepidoptera species, including the Hummingbird hawk moth.<ref>Butterfly Conservation</ref>

Cultivation

Petunias can tolerate relatively harsh conditions and hot climates, but not frost. They need at least five hours of sunlight every day and flourish in moist soil and conditions of low atmospheric humidity. They are best grown from seed. Watering once a week should be sufficient in most regions. Hanging baskets and other containers need more frequent watering.<ref name="extension.umn.edu">Brown, Deborah. “Growing Petunias” University of Minnesota Extension Office. University of Minnesota. 2009. Web. 25 June 2009. http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1120.html Template:Webarchive</ref> Maximum growth occurs in late spring. Applying fertilizer monthly or weekly, depending on the variety, will help the plant grow quickly.

AGM cultivars

The following is a selection of cultivars which have received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit: Template:Div col

• Template:Tdes = 'Conblue'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Tdes = 'Conglow'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Tdes = 'Constraw'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Tdes = 'Kleph15313'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• 'Storm Lavender'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• 'Storm Pink'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• 'Storm Salmon'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Tdes = 'Suntosol'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Tdes = 'Sunpurple'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Tdes = 'Kerpril'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Uses

Many species other than Petunia × atkinsiana are also gaining popularity in the home garden.<ref name="armitage">Template:Cite book</ref> A wide range of flower colours, sizes, and plant architectures are available in both Petunia × atkinsiana and other species.<ref name=Ellis>Template:Cite book</ref>

Genetically engineered bioluminescent Petunia hybrida was approved for sales by USDA in 2023.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Called 'Firefly', this white-flowered petunia glows due to inserted genes from a bioluminescent mushroom.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Symbolism and folklore

The Maya and Inca believed that the scent of petunias had the power to ward off underworld monsters and spirits. Their flower-buds were bunched together for magical drinks.Template:Citation needed

Gallery

• Red and white mixed petunia
  Red and white mixed petunia
• Purple petunias with a white border
  Purple petunias with a white border
• A form of Petunia axillaris with a light pink flower
  A form of Petunia axillaris with a light pink flower
• White Petunia axillaris
  White Petunia axillaris
• A red petunia with a white border
  A red petunia with a white border
• A cultivated form of petunia
  A cultivated form of petunia
• Leaves of Petunia × atkinsiana
  Leaves of Petunia × atkinsiana
• A cultivated form
  A cultivated form
• Starry Night, found in Porto Alegre - Brazil.
  Starry Night, found in Porto Alegre - Brazil.
• Pink Sky Petunia
  Pink Sky Petunia
• Black Petunia
  Black Petunia
• Petunia flowers found growing in Boothbay, Maine
  Petunia flowers found growing in Boothbay, Maine
• Pink Petunia in Holambra - Brazil
  Pink Petunia in Holambra - Brazil
• Petunia x hybrida
  Petunia x hybrida
• File:African Sunset petunias.jpg
  African Sunset, an orange petunia created with genetic modification
• Petunia double petals
  Petunia double petals
• Petunia blue double petals
  Petunia blue double petals
• "Firefly" petunia, genetically engineered to produce a glow
  "Firefly" petunia, genetically engineered to produce a glow
• Carmine Red Petunia
  Carmine Red Petunia
• Petunia axillaris
  Petunia axillaris