Wild Petunia,  Ruellia strepens
Acanthaceae or Acanthus Family

Erect plant to 3 feet tall.  Flowers large, lavender blue, funnel-shaped with 5 flaring lobes.  Leaves egg-shaped, not toothed, opposite each other.  Flowers arise from the axils of the leaves.  Blooms in summer. Fruits are little sausage-shaped capsules.

Native plant of woodland clearings.  Rare in the Park, near the junction of Wildwood Drive with the Riverway bikepath and along the bikepath to the South Bridge.

Hairy wild petunia is similar, but has hairy stems and leaves.  It has not been reported from the Park.