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Description:
Mirabilis jalapa (The four o'clock flower) is the most commony grown ornamental species of Mirabilis, and is available in a range of colours. Mirabilis in Latin means wonderful and Jalapa is a town in Mexico. Fragrant, 2-inch long flowers open in late afternoon and continue until morning when the flower closes up and dies. the blossoms are in shades of pink, white, red, yellow.
Mirabilis is an interesting family containing 350 species in 34 classifications. the wild four o'clock is a native of the Dakota prairies and has spread as a weed eastward to the Atlantic States. It was originally discovered by the French botanist Andre Michaux around 1972.
Uses:
The flowers are used in food colouring. The leaves may be eaten cooked as well, but only as an emergency food. An edible crimson dye is obtained from the flowers to colour cakes and jellies. In herbal medicine, parts of the plant may be used as 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 wound
Danger:
Powdered, the seed of some varieties is used as a cosmetic and a dye. The seeds are considered poisonous.
