Mirabilis jalapa L.

Marvel of Peru

Erect perennial herb to 1 m tall with tuberous rootstock, often grown as an annual. Lower leaves stalked, ovate, entire, more or less hairless, mostly 4-8 cm long, 2-5 cm wide, pointed at the tip, rounded to heart-shaped at the base. Flowers in terminal clusters of 3-7 flowers with only the central one developing, variously coloured or variegated, opening late in the day, scented. Floral tube mostly 3-5 cm long, surrounded by 5 sepal-like bracts. Stamens 5. Fruit dark brown to black, 5-angled, 7-10 mm long.

Tropical America

An occasional garden escape. Not known to occur in the wild but possibly originating from Mexico.

Trumpet-shaped multi-coloured flowers.

Source: Spencer, R. (1997). Nyctaginaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 2. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.

Distribution map
kingdom Plantae
phylum   Tracheophyta
class    Magnoliopsida
superorder     Caryophyllanae
order      Caryophyllales
family       Nyctaginaceae
genus        Mirabilis L.