Mirabilis jalapa L.
നാലുമണിച്ചെടി


Family: NYCTAGINACEAE
Sub-Family: Not available
English Name: Four O'clock Plant
Synonym: Nyctago jalapae (L.) DC.
Common Name: Anthimalari, Anthimandaram, Pantheeradi, Pathittadi, Beauty of the night, Four o'clock plant, Marvel of Peru
Flowering & Fruiting Period: August-April
Distribution: Native in Peru; now cultivated in all Tropical regions
Habitat: Grown as garden plant and also found as escape
Uses: Ornamental garden plant
Key Characteristics: Herbs with large tuberous roots; stem semisucculent. Leaves opposite, triangular-ovate, base obliquely truncate to shortly decurrent, apex acute to acuminate; lateral nerves 5-7 pairs. Inflorescence of 3-7-flowered, terminal, capitate cluster. Perianth pink, white or yellow, funnel-shaped; tube to 4 cm long, slender, limb 5-lobed. Stamens 3-6, exserted. Ovary globose, subsessile; stigma shortly lobed or fimbriate. Anthocarp 4-6 mm across, globose, rugose, black when ripe