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". 

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.