Native Plants
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Mirabilis linearis
Mirabilis linearis (Pursh) Heimerl
Narrowleaf Four O'Clock
Nyctaginaceae (Four O'clock Family)
Synonym(s): Allionia decumbens, Allionia gausapoides, Allionia linearis, Calymenia decumbens, Mirabilis decumbens, Mirabilis diffusa, Mirabilis gausapoides, Mirabilis hirsuta var. linearis, Mirabilis lanceolata, Mirabilis linearis var. linearis, Mirabilis linearis var. subhispida, Oxybaphus angustifolius, Oxybaphus decumbens, Oxybaphus diffusus, Oxybaphus gausapoides, Oxybaphus lanceolatus, Oxybaphus linearis, Oxybaphus linearis var. subhispidus
USDA Symbol: MILI3
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Mirabilis, in Latin, and Maravilla, in Spanish, both mean "marvelous," which the flowers certainly are. They open in the shade of the late afternoon. This lovely native species is a close relative of Common Four-o'clock (M. jalapa), a plant originally from Mexico, popular in gardens since the Aztecs, and now commonly escaping into the wild; it has purple, yellow, or sometimes white or variegated flowers generally not longer than 2 1/2" (6.5 cm).
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb , Subshrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Accessory
Size Notes: Stems decumbent, ascending, or erect with an upright narrow growth pattern. Stems up to about 4 feet long.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink , PurpleBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AR , AZ , CA , CO , CT , IL , IN , KS , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , ND , NE , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OK , PA , SD , TN , TX , UT , WI , WYCanada: AB , MB , SK
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Prefers dry, rocky or sandy soil of plains, hillsides, and roadsides.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesPropagation
Propagation Material: SeedsFrom the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Herbarium Specimen(s)
NPSOT 0526 Collected Jul 27, 1987 in Bexar County by Harry CliffeNPSOT 0139 Collected Sept. 30, 1991 in Bexar County by Lottie Millsaps
NPSOT 0996 Collected Oct 12, 1994 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe
Bibliography
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Mirabilis linearis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Mirabilis linearis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Mirabilis linearis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-18Research By: TWC Staff