See more Four O'Clocks.

Semi-desert, foothills.  Canyons. Late spring, summer.
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, May 13, 2004.

Mirabilis glandulosa is most often found sprawling in the dry twigs and leaves under old Junipers.  Mirabilis glandulosa leaves are lustrous, thick, and large, easily catching a hiker's eye even before the attractive flowers bloom.  Most often the plant produces only a few sprawling branches with large leaves but with few, if any, flowers.  In 2004 and again in 2005, conditions were glandulosa perfect and huge showy mounds of leaves and flowers were produced.

"Mirabilis" is Latin for "wonderful".  This species and the next are now considered one species by some botanists. 

Click for more Mirabilis glandulosa.

Semi-desert, foothills.  Canyons. Late spring, summer.
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, May 13, 2004. 

Semi-desert, foothills.  Canyons. Late spring, summer.
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, May 13, 2004.

Click for more Mirabilis glandulosa.

Semi-desert, foothills. Roadsides, open canyons. Late spring, summer, fall.
Start of Chesler Park Trail, Canyonlands National Park, June 8, 2003.

This species of Four O'Clocks forms an eye-catching large bush-like mass of dense foliage up to 3 or 4 feet wide and high.  The spectacularly attractive flowers range through pink-magenta hues.

Semi-desert, foothills.  Roadsides, open canyons. Late spring, summer, fall.
Start of Chesler Park Trail, Canyonlands National Park, June 8, 2003.

Usually three buds are sheltered in the cup-like green bracts, characteristic of both Mirabilis shown on this page.  Each flower is about two inches across and three inches tall.  Notice that stamens and pistil project above the fused petal-looking structure which is actually fused sepals.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for  Mirabilis grandiflora