Four-o’clock, Mirabilis jalapa
Four o’ clock is a bushy, tender perennial that typically grows tall on erect, branching stems. It has fragrant, funnel-shaped, tubular flowers in pink, red, yellow, white and some bi-colours. Flowers bloom from early/mid-summer to autumn. Flowers open in the late afternoon (around four o’clock) and stay open only until the following morning.They reproduce and spread from seeds.
This shrub thrives in summer during the rainy season but is also is capable of withstanding extended droughts due to the tuberous roots. It has a round nut-like fruit, which turns wrinkled and black when mature. The seeds and plant are poisonous if ingested.
Flowering period: December to April
To eradicate this plant:Use a fork or spade to dig out the tuberous roots. If these roots are left in the ground the plant will sprout again
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