umbrellaworts
Botanical name: Mirabilis
umbrellaworts
Botanical name: Mirabilis
Description
The umbrellaworts (Mirabilis) are a group of plants notable for their showy and very fragrant flowers. These plants are often referred to as umbrellaworts because they tend to bloom in the late afternoon. Several species are cultivated as ornamentals, and many form deep, tuberous roots. One of these tubers, M. expansa, is grown as a crop in the Andean region, where it is called mauka or chago.
Species of umbrellaworts
Narrowleaf four o'clock
Mirabilis linearis is a semidesert wildflower native to Mexico. Although the flowers of narrowleaf four o'clock are commonly pink, there are variations with yellow, purple, or red flowers. It's distinguished from other Mirabilis species by its narrow leaves, hence its botanical epithet 'linearis,' which refers to its leaves.
Sweet four o'clock
Sweet four o'clock is commonly found growing in mixed oak and pine forests and streambeds. It is known as "sweet four o'clock" for its fragrant flowers that open in the late afternoon. They bloom through the evening and attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
White four o'clock
One look at the name will tell you the best time to observe the beauty of the White four o'clock: at sunrise or very early in the morning. After that, the flowers of white four o'clock start to close. The species is very similar to the Wild four o'clock (Mirabilis nyctaginea) but as one of its other names indicates, the Hairy four o'clock is distinguishable from other Mirabilis species by its dense hairs.
Four o'clock flower
Four o'clock flower (Mirabilis jalapa), also known as the marvel of Peru, is a perennial, herbaceous, bushy plant with fragrant, showy flowers, commonly cultivated for ornamental purposes. During bloom time, its flowers are closed most of the day; they open between four and eight o'clock, hence the common name four o'clock flower.
Desert Wishbone-Bush
Desert Wishbone-Bush (Mirabilis laevis) is an evergreen perennial plant named for the wishbone shape of its stems. Blooms spring to early summer with white to pale pink flowers. Funnel-shaped blossoms open in the evening and wither by mid-morning.
Colorado four o'clock
Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) is a perennial herbaceous shrub native to the southwestern United States. This beautiful wildflower can bloom with hundreds of bright pink, tubular flowers from a single plant. Flowers open in afternoon and close the following morning, as the common name implies. It is a popular choice for gardening in arid spaces as it requires very little water.
Wild four o'clock
The wild four o'clock, or Mirabilis nyctaginea, is a perennial flower. Mirabilis nyctaginea means marvelous, describing the beautiful, self-seeding flowers that open in the late afternoon and fall by morning. This flower is easy to grow and drought tolerant, although it will tolerate summer rains well.
Scarlet four o'clock
The scarlet four o'clock (Mirabilis coccinea) are a group of plants notable for their showy and very fragrant flowers. These plants are often referred to as scarlet four o'clock because they tend to bloom in the late afternoon. Several species are cultivated as ornamentals, and many form deep, tuberous roots. One of these tubers, M. expansa, is grown as a crop in the Andean region, where it is called mauka or chago.
Longlobe four o'clock
The longlobe four o'clock (Mirabilis tenuiloba) are a group of plants notable for their showy and very fragrant flowers. These plants are often referred to as longlobe four o'clock because they tend to bloom in the late afternoon. Several species are cultivated as ornamentals, and many form deep, tuberous roots. One of these tubers, M. expansa, is grown as a crop in the Andean region, where it is called mauka or chago.
California four o'clock
The california four o'clock (Mirabilis laevis var. crassifolia) are a group of plants notable for their showy and very fragrant flowers. These plants are often referred to as california four o'clock because they tend to bloom in the late afternoon. Several species are cultivated as ornamentals, and many form deep, tuberous roots. One of these tubers, M. expansa, is grown as a crop in the Andean region, where it is called mauka or chago.
Broad-leaved four-o'clock
The broad-leaved four-o'clock (Mirabilis latifolia) are a group of plants notable for their showy and very fragrant flowers. These plants are often referred to as broad-leaved four-o'clock because they tend to bloom in the late afternoon. Several species are cultivated as ornamentals, and many form deep, tuberous roots. One of these tubers, M. expansa, is grown as a crop in the Andean region, where it is called mauka or chago.
Wishbone-bush
The wishbone-bush (Mirabilis laevis var. villosa) are a group of plants notable for their showy and very fragrant flowers. These plants are often referred to as wishbone-bush because they tend to bloom in the late afternoon. Several species are cultivated as ornamentals, and many form deep, tuberous roots. One of these tubers, M. expansa, is grown as a crop in the Andean region, where it is called mauka or chago.
Wishbone-bush
The wishbone-bush (Mirabilis laevis var. retrorsa) are a group of plants notable for their showy and very fragrant flowers. These plants are often referred to as wishbone-bush because they tend to bloom in the late afternoon. Several species are cultivated as ornamentals, and many form deep, tuberous roots. One of these tubers, M. expansa, is grown as a crop in the Andean region, where it is called mauka or chago.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Vascular plants Class
Dicotyledons Order
Pinks, cacti, and allies Family
Four o'clock Genus
umbrellaworts 
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