Scientific Family
Nyctaginaceae
Synonyms
Oxybaphus linearis, Allionia linearis, A. decumbens, A. gausapoides, Allionia linearis and more see SEINET
Other common names
ribbon four o'clock
linearleaf four-o'clock
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Mirabilis coccinea
Height
1 to 3-1/2 feet
Riparian
No
Stems arise from elongate woody taproots; stems erect to ascending or procumbent (stems grow along the ground but do not root), usually without hairs at least above, and often whitish-waxy below. White to pink-purple flowers arranged in terminal clusters.
Leaf blades at least 5 times as long as wide; 5-parted calyx is pink or purple, usually pale, twice as long as bracts; whorl of united bracts is enlarged and papery in fruit; fruit strongly 5-angled.
Habitat
Oak woodlands and often in pine forests. Prefers open sandy, gravelly, or rocky soils and disturbed areas.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
4500
High elevation
9500
Flower Characteristics
Funnel-shaped, 5 lobed with long stamens, width to 3/4 inch, length to 1 inch. Flower bracts papery. Terminal flower clusters have a distinct main axis and short lateral branches (panicle); occasional flower clusters also scattered in leaf axils.
Flower color
Pale purple to purplish-red
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Other
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves sticky, strongly ascending to spreading, leaf stems to 1/4 inch long; blades green to blue-gray and glaucous (white or grayish powdery coating), narrow, thin to fleshy, thick, and succulent, narrow at the base, tips tapered or rounded.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Narrow and rounded, tapering at both ends; spreading crinkled hairs in tufts or evenly distributed.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Greenish-brown
Single, pale yellowish-brown seed.