ExplorePlants

Colorado Four o'Clock

Mirabilis multiflora

The Colorado Four o'Clock is a colorful flower that blooms in the evening. Its bright petals can be pink, yellow, or white, and they attract many butterflies and bees!

Habitat: Mountain regions

Appearance

The Colorado Four o'Clock is a sprawling, bushy perennial with dark green, heart-shaped leaves. It has trumpet-shaped flowers, usually a vibrant magenta or deep pink, but sometimes white or yellow, that unfurl in the late afternoon.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyNyctaginaceaeGenusMirabilis
Colorado Four o'Clock
flowering trait badgefragrant_flower trait badgenight_blooming trait badgecolorful trait badge
Colorado Four o'Clock

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

6

Interesting facts

Ancient people sometimes used parts of this plant for medicine or food.

Even after a big fire, this plant can grow back from its strong underground roots!

Its enormous root can weigh more than your whole backpack!

The tiny 'seeds' are actually fruits, and they look like little wrinkled pebbles!

Special abilities

Ability

Twilight Bloomer

Colorado Four o'Clock can open its fragrant flowers at dusk, attracting nocturnal moths for pollination.

Ability

Deep Root Diver

It has a super-long taproot that helps it find deep water, surviving very dry climates.

Ability

Seed Shooter

Its small, nut-like fruits drop seeds that can grow quickly after rains.

Measurements & details

Height
30-90 cm
Spread
60-120 cm
Flower Size
2-3 cm
Bloom Season
Summer to fall
Edible
No
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

White-lined Sphinx Moth

Hyles lineata

attracted by evening fragrance

eaten by

Tobacco Hornworm

Manduca quinquemaculata

larvae feed on leaves

pollinates

Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

collects pollen and nectar

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch flowers unless an adult says it's okay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Colorado Four o'Clock?

The easiest way to identify Colorado Four o'Clock is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How tall is Colorado Four o'Clock?

30-90 cm

How wide does Colorado Four o'Clock spread?

60-120 cm

How big are the flowers on Colorado Four o'Clock?

2-3 cm

When does Colorado Four o'Clock bloom?

Summer to fall

Is Colorado Four o'Clock edible?

No

Is Colorado Four o'Clock toxic?

Mild

What is Colorado Four o'Clock's lifecycle?

Perennial

Snap Map

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