Scientific Family
Nyctaginaceae
Synonyms
Oxybaphus coccineus
Other common names
red four o' clock
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Mirabilis linearis
Height
1 to 2 feet
Riparian
No
A spindly plant with very narrow leaves, erect stems and bright red flowers with exerted stamens that only open at night.
Leaf blades at least 5 times as long as wide; no petals, 5 sepals are bright red, 3 to 4 times as long as bracts; the whorl of united bracts enlarge and become papery in fruit; fruit strongly 5-angled. M. linearis has densely hairy flower clusters.
Habitat
Dry, open hillsides of igneous rock, shrubs, pinyon-juniper or mixed conifer woodlands.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Low elevation
4000
High elevation
6500
Flower Characteristics
Flowers have very long stamens with a bright purple color at the tips, to 1-3/4 inches long including stamens, occur in long-stemmed clusters of 3.
Flower color
Bright red
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
August
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves can be thread-like to 4 inches long, moderately thick and fleshy, narrow at their base, pointed at the apex. Few leaves on the stalk.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Dark grayish-green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
To 1/4 inch. Ribbed and either smooth or with a slight wart-like appearance on surface.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Pale olive brown