Mirabilis (plant)
|
|
Mirabilis is a genus of herbaceous perennial plants, in the family Nyctaginaceae. There are over 50 species, which are found through the warmer regions of the Americas. Typically they bear tuberous roots which enables them to perennate through dry and cool seasons. They have small deep throated flowers, often fragrant.
At least two species are grown in gardens. They can be grown as annuals.
The most commonly grown species is Mirabilis jalapa, commonly called the 'Four o'clock flower' or the 'Marvel of Peru', from tropical South America, with flowers in a range of colours. This has become naturalised throughout tropical and warm temperate regions. In cooler temperate regions, it will die back with the first frosts, regrowing in the following spring from the tuberous roots. The flowers usually open from late afternoon onwards, hence the first of its common names. A curious aspect of this plant is that flowers of different colours can be found simultaneously on the same plant.
Mirabilis longiflora, of the southern United States is not as showy, is less hardy, and is less often grown. It is night flowering, the flowers are mostly white, long and tubular, strongly scented.