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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]]. 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.
[[Image:PetuniaHybridaPiebald.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Purple Petunias]]
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.
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.
==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>
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.
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]].
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==
==Species==
*''Petunia axillaris''
*''Petunia integrifolia''
*''Petunia x hybrida Wave Pink Hybrid''
*''Petunia grandiflora Park's Whopper Hybrid Burgundy''
==References==
==References==
*Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881926248
*Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881926248
*American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432
*American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432
==External links==
==External links==
