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.
Best time to see a Desert Four O'Clock
The best time to see a Desert Four O'Clock is April–June, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 5,470 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Desert Four O'Clock? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Desert Four O'Clock sightings near you
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