Petunia

Petunia is a genus of 20 species of flowering plants of South American origin.<ref name="tpl">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The popular flower of the same name derived its epithet from the French, which took the word {{#invoke:Lang|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

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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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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

• Petunia Flowers (2).jpg

  Red and white mixed petunia

• Petunia Violet.jpg

  Purple petunias with a white border

• Petunia axillaris-Purple Petunia.JPG

  A form of Petunia axillaris with a light pink flower

• Petunia axillaris-White Petunia.JPG

  White Petunia axillaris

• Petunia red.jpg

  A red petunia with a white border

• Petunia Hybrid Bi Color.jpg

  A cultivated form of petunia

• Niz dvorot od Rašo 2013- 16 maj (107).JPG

  Leaves of Petunia × atkinsiana

• Petunia.jpg

  A cultivated form

• Starry night petunia flower in Porto Alegre - Brazil.jpg

  Starry Night, found in Porto Alegre - Brazil.

• Petunia Pink Sky.jpg

  Pink Sky Petunia

• Black petunia. II.jpg

  Black Petunia

• Petunia flower growing in Boothbay Maine 2024.jpg

  Petunia flowers found growing in Boothbay, Maine

• Field of Pink Petunia.jpg

  Pink Petunia in Holambra - Brazil

• Petunia x hybrida.JPG

  Petunia x hybrida

• African Sunset petunias.jpg

  African Sunset, an orange petunia created with genetic modification

• Petunia double petals.jpg

  Petunia double petals

• Petunia blue double petals.jpg

  Petunia blue double petals

• Firefly petunia.jpg

  "Firefly" petunia, genetically engineered to produce a glow