Weber divides the plants shown below into two distinct species Mirabilis glandulosa and Mirabilis multiflora.  John Kartesz (the ultimate authority for plant names on this web site) considers the plants shown on this page as varieties, Mirabilis multiflora variety glandulosa and Mirabilis multiflora variety multiflora. 

See more Four O'Clocks.

Semi-desert, foothills.  Canyons. Late spring, summer.
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, May 13, 2004.

Mirabilis multiflora is most often found sprawling in the dry twigs and leaves under old Junipers. Mirabilis multiflora leaves are lustrous, thick, and large, easily catching a hiker's eye even before the attractive flowers bloom.  Most often the plant produces only a few sprawling branches with large leaves but with few, if any, flowers.  When conditions are perfect,huge showy mounds of leaves and flowers were produced.

"Mirabilis" is Latin for "wonderful".

Click for more Mirabilis multiflora.

Semi-desert, foothills.  Canyons. Late spring, summer.
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, May 13, 2004. 

Semi-desert, foothills.  Canyons. Late spring, summer.
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, May 13, 2004.

Semi-desert, foothills. Roadsides, open canyons. Late spring, summer, fall.
Start of Chesler Park Trail, Canyonlands National Park, June 8, 2003.

Four O'Clocks can form an eye-catching large bush-like mass of dense foliage up to 3 or 4 feet wide and high. The spectacularly attractive flowers range through pink-magenta hues.

Semi-desert, foothills.  Roadsides, open canyons. Late spring, summer, fall.
Start of Chesler Park Trail, Canyonlands National Park, June 8, 2003.

Usually three buds are sheltered in the cup-like green bracts.  Each flower is about two inches across and three inches tall.  Notice that stamens and pistil project above the fused petal-looking structure which is actually fused sepals.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Mirabilis grandiflora. (This map includes both varieties shown on this page.)