Mirabilis jalapa, The marvel of Peru or four o'clock flower,

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Mirabilis jalapa (Four o'clock)

Scientific name

Mirabilis jalapaL.

Synonyms

Jalapa officinalis Garsault; Nyctago jalapae (L.) DC.; Nyctago versicolor Salisb.; Mimosa hispidula Kunth

Common names

Four o'clock, beauty of the night, beauty-of-the-night, coat of many colours, false jalap, four o'clock, four o'clock flower, four o'clock plant, four-o'clock, garden four-o'clock, marvel of Peru, marvel-of-Peru, Hindi: गुल अब्बास Gul abbas, Gulbakshi

Family

Nyctaginaceae

Origin

The exact origin of Mirabilis jalapa is obscure, but it is thought to be native to parts of tropicalAmerica.

Naturalised distribution (global)

Locations within which Mirabilis jalapa is naturalised include the warmer parts of Australia, USA and New Zealand and many Pacific islands.

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Colouring Condiment

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.

Medicinal Uses
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Diuretic Purgative Vulnerary

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[240]. A decoction of them is used to treat abscesses. The leaf juice is used to treat wounds.

Habitat

Mirabilis jalapa is cultivated in gardens and has also been recorded on waste ground and around habitation areas. It occurs altitudes ranging from 200-2150 m above sea level.

Description

Mirabilis jalapa is a long-lived (perennial) herbgrowing up to 2 metres high, with a tuberous root.

Its leaves are egg-shaped in outline with broad end at base (ovate), oblong, or triangular, measuring to 9 cm long.; the leaf tip is acute, base cordate. The leaf stalk (petiole) is 4 cm long.

Flowers of M. jalapa occur in groups of 3-7; flower stalks more or less absent; flowers are fragrant and open in the afternoon; flowers are tubular, white, pink or red in colour, up to 6.5 long by 3.5 wide with 5-6 stamens.

The fruit is a small, one-seeded capsule(anthocarp).

Reproduction and dispersal

Self-pollination has been was described the primary means of reproduction in Mirabilis jalapa and in some natural populations hawk-moth pollinators have been reported. M. jalapaspreads by seed.

Economic and other uses

Mirabilis jalapa is cultivated in gardens for ornamental purposes. It is also said to be medicinal, with antivirus properties.