Mirabilis jalapa
(Marvel of Peru)
Mirabilis jalapa, Barefoot RV Park, Bend, San Saba Co. 9589
Mirabilis jalapa, Barefoot RV Park, Bend, San Saba Co. 9603
Mirabilis jalapa, Barefoot RV Park, Bend, San Saba Co. 9595
Mirabilis jalapa, Barefoot RV Park, Bend, San Saba Co. 9598
Mirabilis jalapa, Barefoot RV Park, Bend, San Saba Co. 9597
Mirabilis jalapa, Barefoot RV Park, Bend, San Saba Co. 9606
| Scientific Name | Mirabilis jalapa | USDA PLANTS Symbol | MIJA |
| Common Name | Marvel of Peru, Common Four O'clock | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 19648 |
| Family | Nyctaginaceae (Four O'clock) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Various soils on plains, pastures and disturbed areas; widely cultivated as an ornamental. Plant: Much-branched, bushy, perennial 16 to 40 inches tall with erect to ascending stems; deep green, smooth foliage, somewhat sticky. Leaves: Opposite, ovate to ovate deltoid with pointed tips and blunt or indented bases and smooth margins; 1-1/2 to 5-1/2 inches long and 3/4 to 3+ inches wide; slender petioles about half as long as the blades, uppermost blades nearly sessile. Inflorescence: Several compact clusters with one to fifteen flowers on short stalks, and each cluster subtended by a pair of leaf-like bracts; rose-pink or yellow (sometimes white or striped) funnel-shaped flowers usually hairless, 1-1/4 to 2 inches long with 5 flared, notched flared lobes; 5 long stamens extending beyond the tube; pistil with one, long, threadlike style extending beyond the stamens and a rounded stigma. Bloom Period: Spring to fall until frost; fragrant flowers usually open from late afternoon or at dusk, or earler on cloudy days. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Introduced |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024