Species PlantsDesert Four O'Clock

Desert Four O'Clock

Mirabilis multiflora

CommonPlant
Illustration of Desert Four O'Clock (Mirabilis multiflora)

Desert Four O'Clock is a sprawling perennial of the Colorado Plateau and Chihuahuan Desert with spectacular magenta-to-rose tubular flowers that open in late afternoon. Each flower lasts only one night. Sphinx moths and hawk moths are the primary pollinators, drawn by the flowers' evening fragrance. The tuberous root was used medicinally by Navajo and Pueblo peoples.

Habitat
Rocky desert slopes, canyon walls, and pinyon-juniper woodland edges
Diet
Evening flowers pollinated exclusively by hawk moths and sphinx moths
How common
Common

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