Marvel Of Peru, Miracle Flower of Peru, Four O'Clock
Mirabilis jalapa
Family: Nyctaginaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Pink, Red, White, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.
Mirabilis jalapa is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.6
Where it is found
Not known
S. America - Peru. Naturalized in France and possibly other places in Europe.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Tender young leaves - cooked as a vegetable. An emergency food, only eaten when all else fails. An edible crimson dye is obtained from the flowers. It is used for colouring cakes and jellies. The seed is crushed and used as a pepper substitute.
Colouring: edible dyes
Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The root is aphrodisiac, diuretic and purgative. It is used in the treatment of dropsy. A paste of the root is applied as a poultice to treat scabies and muscular swellings. The juice of the root is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, indigestion and fevers. The powdered root, mixed with corn flour (Zea mays) is baked and used in the treatment of menstrual disorders. The leaves are diuretic. They are used to reduce inflammation. A decoction of them is used to treat abscesses. The leaf juice is used to treat wounds.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Purgative: A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.
Vulnerary: Promotes the healing of wounds.
Other
Rating: 0
The powdered seed is used as a cosmetic.
Cosmetic: Used to improve the physical appearence of a person.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Specimen. Succeeds in almost any ordinary garden soil. Prefers a fertile well-drained soil in full sun or part day shade. This species is not very hardy in Britain. The top growth is cut back by frost but the tuber survives the winter outdoors if the temperature does not fall much below -5°c, a good mulch would be beneficial. Tubers can be lifted and stored over winter in a cool frost free place in the same way that dahlia tubers are stored. The marvel of Peru is usually grown as a half-hardy annual in temperate zones, it flowers freely in its first year. Plants also self-sow freely in warmer areas (these seedlings can be easily transplanted) and they can become a weed in such situations due to their deep rooting habit. This species was cultivated as a medicinal plant by the Aztecs prior to the Spanish conqust. The flowers are sweetly scented and do not open until the afternoon. The young growth is particularly susceptible to aphis infestation. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. Special Features:Attracts birds, Not North American native, Naturalizing, Fragrant flowers.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seed remains viable for several years. Division in spring as the plant comes into growth.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 7-10
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
The seeds and the roots are reported to cause digestive disturbances.