WILD FOUR-O
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WILD FOUR-O’CLOCK

Mirabilis nyctaginea
FOUR O'CLOCK FAMILY (Nyctaginaceae)

Identification

  • Flowering time - May to October
  • Uncommon in variety of habitats at FF & NW
  • Flowers/seeds seated in a 5 lobed umbrella-like cup
  • Opposite heart-shaped leaves
  • Trumpet-shaped flowers with protruding yellow-tipped stamens
  • WILD FOUR-O
  • WILD FOUR-O
  • WILD FOUR-O
Click on each photo thumbnail to enlarge.

This native perennial has an erect, smooth stem, holding opposite, heart-shaped leaves, up to 4 inches long (C). The leaf stalks 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). Individual trumpet-shaped flowers have 5 notched petal-like sepals; 3-5 long stamens with yellow tips and a single pistil extend well beyond the sepals (B). They are enclosed by five fused umbrella-like green and purple bracts, later forming a green “cup” which holds 3-5 brown to black, hairy seeds (D).

Grows in a variety of disturbed habitats as well as higher grade ones like our prairies and woodlands. It is uncommon at both Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. Flowering occurs from May through October.

As the name suggests, the flowers open only during the late afternoon. They remain open overnight, withering the next day.

Also known as Heart-Leaved Umbrellawort.

The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Roland Barth.