WILD FOUR-O
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WILD FOUR-O’CLOCK

Mirabilis nyctaginea
FOUR O'CLOCK FAMILY (Nyctaginaceae)

  • WILD FOUR-O
  • WILD FOUR-O
  • WILD FOUR-O
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This native perennial has an erect, smooth stem, holding opposite, heart-shaped leaves, up to 4 inches long (C). The leaf stems are short below, and even shorter near the top. The pink to purple flowers form several clusters at the end of the branching stems (A,B). They are enclosed by five umbrella-like green and purple bracts. These bracts later form a green “bell” which holds 3-5 brown to black, hairy seeds (D).

Grows in a variety of habitats, including prairies, flowering from May through October. In Fontenelle Forest, rare along railroad tracks at Handsome Hollow entrance. At Neale Woods, locally common in CJIC Transplant.

As the name suggests, the flowers open only during the late afternoon. Also known as Heart-Leaved Umbrellawort.

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