As the name implies – this plant is SCA-BROUS. Yep. In this case, the leaves… particularly older leaves. Ruellia aspera is an absolutely remarkable species from southern Namibia, where it is uncommon but, if found, locally abundant.

A real beauty, and one beheld surely by many eyes other than my own.

Wild collected, Namibia, Tripp & Dexter et al. #2079 (RSA-POM); Photo by Erin Tripp