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Mirabilis jalapa

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
mih-RAB-ih-liss jah-LAHP-ah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Mirabilis jalapa can be grown as an annual across North Carolina, but only perennializes in warm, protected coastal gardens.Old plants produce large, potato-like tuberous roots, and its fragrant flowers open at four or five o'clock in the evening and are pollinated by hummingbirds and moths.

CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Marvel of Peru
Marvel of Peru
Tags:
#purple#poisonous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#mahogany#pink flowers#fall interest#summer flowers#striped leaves#spring interest#partial shade tolerant#stormwater demo garden orange co#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Marvel of Peru
Marvel of Peru
Tags:
#purple#poisonous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#mahogany#pink flowers#fall interest#summer flowers#striped leaves#spring interest#partial shade tolerant#stormwater demo garden orange co#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Mirabilis
    Species:
    jalapa
    Family:
    Nyctaginaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mexico to Central America
    Wildlife Value:
    pollinated by hummingbirds and moths
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Moderate drought tolerance.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 2 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    fruit leathery, 5-ribbed
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Variegated
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Trumpet
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    flowers opening late in the afternoon or in very cloudy weather, white to red, yellow or striped, tubular and trumpet-like, 5-lobed
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pool/Hardscape
    Landscape Theme:
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Hummingbirds
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; handling of the roots may cause dermatitis
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unknown
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Roots
    Seeds