MIRABILIS JALAPA OR Andhi Mantharai Plant -THE 4'O CLOCK PLANT

A NEW- COMER IN MY GARDEN  

Mirabilis jalapa (the four o'clock flower or marvel of Peru) is the most commonly grown ornamental species of Mirabilis, and is available in a range of colours. 

Mirabilis in Latin means wonderful and Jalapa is a not uncommon placename in Central and North America

A curious aspect of this plant is that flowers with different colors can be found simultaneously on the same plant.

Different color variation in the flower and different color flowers in same plant.

Variegated flower on a four o'clock plant.

Naturally occurring color variation on four o'clock flowers.

Additionally, an individual flower can be splashed with different colors. 

Flower patterns are referred to as sectors (whole sections of flower), flakes (stripes of varying length), and spots. 

A single flower can be plain yellow, pink or white, or have a combination of sectors, flakes and spots. Furthermore, different combinations of flowers and patterns can occur on different flowers of the same plant. ^[1] 

Another interesting point is a color-changing phenomenon. For example, in the yellow variety, as the plant matures, it can display flowers that gradually change to a dark pink color. Similarly white flowers can change to lightviolet.

A four o'clock plant in full bloom.

The flowers usually open from late afternoon onwards, hence the first of its common names. 

Flowers then produce a strong, sweet-smelling fragrance throughout the night, then close for good in the morning. New flowers open the following day.

Despite their appearance, the flowers are not formed from petals – rather they are a pigmented modification of the calyx. Similarly, the 'calyx' is an involucre of bracts. ^[2].

The flowers are pollinated by long-tongued moths of the Sphingidae family, such as the sphinx moths or hawkM. jalapa hails from tropical South America, but has become naturalised throughout tropical and warm temperate regions. In cooler temperate regions, it will die back with the first frosts, regrowing in the following spring from the tuberous roots. The plant does best in full sun. 

It grows to approximately 0.9 m in height. The single-seeded fruits are spherical, wrinkled and black upon maturity (see picture), having started out greenish-yellow. 

A PICTURE OF THE PLANT TAKEN  IN MY BACKYARD

The plant will self-seed, often spreading rapidly if left unchecked in a garden. Some gardeners recommend that the seeds should be soaked before planting, but this is not totally necessary. InNorth America, the plant perennializes in warm, coastal environments, particularly in USDA Zones 9–10. moths and other nocturnal pollinators attracted by the fragrance.^[3]

USES OF The Plant

The flowers are used in food colouring. The leaves may be eaten cooked as well, but only as an emergency food.^[11]

An edible crimson dye is obtained from the flowers to colour cakes and jellies.^[11]

In herbal medicine, parts of the plant may be used as a diuretic, purgative, and for vulnerary (wound healing) purposes. The root is believed an aphrodisiac as well as diuretic and purgative. It is used in the treatment of dropsy.

The leaves are used to reduce inflammation. A decoction of them (mashing and boiling) is used to treat abscesses. Leaf juice may be used to treat wounds.

Powdered, the seed of some varieties is used as a cosmetic and a dye.^[11] The seeds are considered poisonous.^[12]

The plant has a potential for the bioremediation of soils polluted with moderate concentrations of heavy metals such as cadmium.^[13]