Petunia integrifolia
(=violacea) Wild Violet Petunia This native of Argentina was first grown in Europe (Scotland) in 1831. Schultes claimed that the indigenous folk of the Ecuadorian highlands smoked the dried herb to induce feelings of flight, but most likely this was another petunia, because this one is not a highland plant. We have read of folks making a tea from the flowers with no ill effects, and some claim a sedating or mildly euphoric effect. On the other hand, a tea of the chopped leaves is supposed to be a good pesticide against Colorado potato beetle, tobacco hornworm, and some caterpillars, so be careful! We have been unable to find any dependable information about the toxicity of this plant. At any rate, this is a nice addition to cottage gardens, producing flowers with a balsamic scent (benzaldehyde), and because it is so easy to grow and so inconspicuous, if you have nosy neighbors and would like to grow a good Saturnian witching herb, this is an excellent candidate, particularly because it is the wild version, not the domesticated one. It therefore allows one to grow a wild nightshade that looks like a polite domesticated plant. :) Hybrids were being made between this and P. axillaris beginning in 1837. If you'd like to try your hand at it, get both and cross-pollinate them by hand with a q-tip or dedicated paintbrush or feather, since their natural pollinators don't visit both plants (bees visit wild violet petunia but hawkmoths visits wild white petunia). That means you can grow both and the seed will come true. This plant is also known as el shanin, violetflower petunia, Petunia violacea. Another great nightshade to know and grow. Top How
to Grow Wild Violet Petunias |
Petunia
integrifolia (=violacea)
Inconscpicuous
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