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'''''Petunia''''' is a, trumpet shaped, widely-cultivated [[genus]] of [[flowering plant]]s of South American origin, in the family [[Solanaceae]]. Most of the varieties seen in gardens are hybrids (''Petunia x hybrida''). A wide range of flower colors, sizes, and plant architectures are available in both the hybrid and open-pollinated species.
'''''Petunia''''' is a, trumpet shaped, widely-cultivated [[genus]] of [[flowering plant]]s of South American origin, in the family [[Solanaceae]]. The popular flower got its name from French, which took the word ''petun'' 'tobacco' from a [[Tupi-Guarani]] language. Most of the varieties seen in gardens are hybrids (''Petunia x hybrida''). The origin of ''P. x hybrida'' is thought the be a hybridaization between ''P. axillaris'' and ''P. integrifolia''. Many open-pollinated species are also gaining popularity in the home garden. A wide range of flower colors, sizes, and plant architectures are available in both the hybrid and open-pollinated species.
==Species==
==Species==
==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
When growing petunias, it's best to leave them in full sunlight<ref>{{cite web | url=http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/hgic1171.htm | title=Petunia (HGIC 1171) | publisher=Clemson Extension Home & Garden Information Center}}</ref> and only water them when their soil is dry to the touch. Although generally grown as [[annual plant|annuals]] (at least in temperate areas), they are [[perennial plant|perennial]] in warm climates (roughly [[Hardiness zone|zone]] 9 or warmer).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/petu_xhy.cfm | title=Petunia x hybrida | author=Jack Scheper | date=[[2003-05-20]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.plantanswers.com/petunia_bush.htm | title=Laura Bush Petunia}}</ref>
==Propagation==
==Propagation==
Petunias are generally insect pollinated with the exception of ''P. exserta'', which is a rare, bird pollinated species. Most petunias are diploid with 14 or 18 chromosomes and are interfertile with other petunia species.
==Pests and diseases==
==Pests and diseases==
The foliage of ''Petunia''s are sometimes eaten by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including [[Dot Moth]] and [[Macroglossum stellatarum|Hummingbird hawk moth]].
==Uses==
==Uses==
==History==
==History==
The popular flower got its name from French, which took the word ''petun'' 'tobacco' from a [[Tupi-Guarani]] language.
The origin of ''P. x hybrida'' is thought the be a hybridaization between ''P. axillaris'' and ''P. integrifolia''. Many open-pollinated species are also gaining popularity in the home garden.
==Taxonomy==
==Taxonomy==
Some botanists place the plants of the genus ''[[Calibrachoa]]'' in the genus ''Petunia''. Botanically speaking, tobacco, tomato, potato, and petunia are all in the family Solanaceae.
==Distribution and habitat==
==Distribution and habitat==