Mirabilis (plant)

Mirabilis
Mirabilis jalapa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Nyctaginaceae
Tribe: Nyctagineae
Genus: Mirabilis
L.
Species

About 60; see text.

Synonyms

Allioniella Rydb.
Calymenia Pers.
Calyxhymenia Ortega
Hermidium S.Watson
Hesperonia Standl.
Nyctago Juss.
Oxybaphus L’Hér. ex Willd.
Quamoclidion Choisy

Mirabilis is a genus of plants in the family Nyctaginaceae known as the four-o'clocks or umbrellaworts. The best known species may be Mirabilis jalapa, the plant most commonly called four o'clock.

There are several dozen species in the genus, of herbaceous plants, mostly found in the Americas. Some form tuberous roots that enable them to perennate through dry and cool seasons. They have small, often fragrant, deep-throated flowers.