marvel of Peru
Mirabilis jalapa
A single plant can bloom with multiple different colored flowers simultaneously, and individual blossoms can even display bi-colored patterns or change color as they age.
- Scientific name
- Mirabilis jalapa
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Caryophyllales › Nyctaginaceae › Mirabilis
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- urban
- Habitat
- Gardens, roadsides, waste ground, and disturbed urban areas.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
- Range
- Native to the Peruvian Andes, Naturalized globally in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate zones
- Size
- 0.9 to 1.2 meters (3 to 4 feet) tall
- Lifespan
- Perennial (tubers can live for decades; grown as an annual in frost-prone zones)
- Active
- crepuscular
- Threats
- Weed management, herbicide application, and extreme winter freezes.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to touch and beautiful to admire, but defensive if consumed. The seeds and tuberous roots are toxic to humans and pets, containing resins that cause severe gastrointestinal distress. Safe to handle, but wash hands after touching crushed plant parts and keep away from curious pets.
Mirabilis jalapa , the marvel of Peru or four o'clock flower , is the most commonly grown ornamental species of Mirabilis plant, and is available in a range of colours. Mirabilis in Latin means wonderful and Jalapa is the capital of Veracruz México. Mirabilis jalapa was cultivated by the Aztecs for medicinal and ornamental purposes.
Photo: Ricard Busquets Reverte, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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