Four O’Clock Plant
Mirabilis jalapa

Family: Nyctaginaceae

What it is like

A bushy herb. It can grow as an annual plant but it can keep growing from year to year from the thick tuberous root. It grows to 60-200 cm high and spreads to 60 cm wide. The stem is short, thick and branching. The leaves occur opposite one another. They are green and oval or sword shaped. They taper to the tip. They are 6-9 cm long by 1-4 cm wide. The lower leaves have leaf stalks while the upper leaves do not. The flowers are like tubes and expand towards the top forming a funnel shape. They are 6 cm long by 3 cm wide. They are red, white, yellow or purple. They have a scent. The flowers open in the afternoon. The flowers occur in clusters at the ends of branches. The fruit are almost round, black nuts.

It has a range of medicinal uses. There are about 50 Mirabilis species.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant but also in warm temperate areas. It will grow on most soils. It needs an open, sunny position. It is damaged by drought or frost. In Nepal it grows up to 1800 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Caroline Islands, Central America, China, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Easter Island, Ecuador, Europe, Fiji, France, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Kiribati, Korea, Laos, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Mexico, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Niue, Norfolk Island, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru (country/location of origin), Rotuma, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, St Helena, Suriname, Tasmania, Thailand, Turkey, Türkiye, Tuvalu, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked and eaten as an emergency food only. The flowers give a red dye used for food colouring. It is used with seaweed cakes and jellies. The seeds are crushed and used as a pepper substitute.

It is sold in local markets in China. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds - spice, flowers - colouring, vegetable, root - tea

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed should be soaked in warm water overnight before planting. Seedlings can be transplanted. Plants can also be grown from the thick root tuber or by splitting the roots. Plants should be spaced 30-45 cm apart.

Its other names

Local names

Ao zi mo li, Asarumma, Badracha, Ban yen, Belle de nuit, Bongphan, Buenas tardes, Bunga pechah empat, Bunga pukul empat, Bunga waktu kechil, Di lao shu, Gulal, Gurumash gadda, Jovan, Kebi luli, Kederat, Kembang pagi sore, Kembang pukul empat, Lankaphul, Luli chide, Malati phul, Marvel of Peru, Nachtschone, Navadna nočna lepotica, Nitcha mulligah, Petel, Peteli, Purple Jasmine, Rouge flower, Segerat, Seroja, Shivkali, Sondha shak, Te aoaaua, Undi mandarei, Vieruursbloem, Yanzhihua, Zimoli

Synonyms

Jalapa officinalis Crantz.; Mirabilis dichotoma L.; Nyctago jalapa DC.;