Ruellia blechum, Green Shrimp Plant

That looks like it - thanks!

Found this article saying it's considered invasive, but OTOH, a larval plant for malachite butterfly...

https://www.yoursun.com/charlotte/features/green-shrimp-plant-friend-or-foe/article_e7f24ca4-77db-11e9-ba26-7fc5016ca333.html

Its distant spreading is so, so bad. For the rest of your life, unless you immediately dig every one.

Has Malachite ever populated as far north as you are?

No idea. I'm not even sure what they look like.

Ironically this is in a walled butterfly garden at the rec center where I work. I've been pulling it and trashing it, but it entangles itself under and amongst shrubs and other hard to get at places.

> No idea. Then for certain it has not, therefore you have no reason to retain any of this plant. Even if you were to entertain the idea of having food available for potential climate-warming-induced nothern movement of species, you would be better served to plant something else in hope of Malachite colonization.

Roots are relatively shallow. If you soak soil thoroughly for at least a few inches of depth, then slow in-line pulling usually does not break stem. And even if stem breaks, you can finish by grasping it at roots, slightly below ground surface.