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GENERAL genus/plant description
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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.   
 
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'''''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.   
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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. 
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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.     
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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]]. 
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If 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>
      
==Species==
 
==Species==
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==Cultivation==
 
==Cultivation==
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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==
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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==
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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==
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The popular flower got its name from French, which took the word ''petun'' 'tobacco' from a [[Tupi-Guarani]] language.
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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==
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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==