Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My neighbor thinned hers out and gave me about a half dozen plants and I think it would look great in the turtle pen when it blooms and provide some shelter and interest, but I can't find it on the edible or toxic list. What do you all think? Safe?

where do you live?
This might be important:
Mexican petunia is listed as a Category I invasive species by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. This means that it is "altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives". This warning applies to all parts of the state of Florida (and other areas with similar mild climates). Where hardy, the Mexican petunia excels at invading wetlands.
-----
Patsy

I live in Dallas. Yes, I am aware of its invasive habits. My neighbor has to thin it out of her front flowerbed twice a year. I don't mind thinning it out if it goes crazy in the turtle pen... Just want to know if the flowers are safe and the plant itself. Thanks!

I found it on a list of plants that are deemed safe for birds (see link).

I have not seen Ruellia turn up on toxic plant lists, and, as far as I know the Acanthaceae family is not know to be a toxic group (unlike Euphorbias and Aroids).
Link

Thanks, StephF. I planted a couple in each of my pens just now. Just like everything, I'll keep a close eye on it.

Here's a pic of what the EBT side is looking like lately. I took the advice of a few people and used some mulberry tree bark to create some more hide spots, leaning it against a big log I have in there. I also tilted the log and put two rocks on each side and now the boxies can walk underneath it.

Just went out to take some pics to attach to this, and looks like one of the Easterns put that petunia to use right away.