Thanks, Mahadeswara ji for Id. Some interesting extracts from Wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirabilis_jalapa
*Mirabilis jalapa* (The *four o'clock flower* or *marvel of Peru*) is the most commonly grown ornamental species of *Mirabilis*, and is available in a range of colours. Mirabilis in Latin <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin>means wonderful and Jalapa <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalapa> is a town in Mexico<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico>. *Mirabilis jalapa* is said to have been exported from the Peruvian<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peru> Andes <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andes> in 1540. A curious aspect of this plant <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant> is that flowers of different colours can be found simultaneously on the same plant. Additionally, an individual flower can be splashed with different colours. Another interesting point is a colour-changing phenomenon. For example, in the yellow variety, as the plant matures, it can display flowers that gradually change to a dark pink <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink> color. Similarly white <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White> flowers can change to light violet <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violet_(color)>. The flowers usually open from late afternoon onwards, then producing a strong, sweet-smelling fragrance, hence the first of its common names. In China <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China>, it is called the "shower flower" (Chinese <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_language>: 洗澡花; pinyin<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinyin>: xǐzǎo huā) or "rice boiling flower" (煮饭花; zhǔfàn huā) because it is in bloom at the time of these activities. In Hong Kong<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong>, it is known as "purple jasmine" (紫茉莉). Despite their appearance, the flowers are not formed from petals <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petal> - rather they are a pigmented modification of the calyx<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepal> . *M. jalapa* hails from tropical <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical> South America <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_America>, but has become naturalised throughout tropical and warm temperate<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperate>regions. In cooler temperate <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperate> regions<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Region>, it will die back with the first frosts, regrowing in the following spring from the tuberous roots. The plant <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant> does best in full sun <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun>. It grows to approximately 0.9 m in height. The single-seeded fruit are spherical, wrinkled and black upon maturity (see picture), having started out greenish-yellow. The plant will self-seed, often spreading rapidly if left unchecked in a garden. Some gardeners recommend that the seeds should be soaked before planting, but this is not totally necessary. In North America<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_America>, the plant perennializes in warm, coastal environments, particularly in US Zones 9-10. On Sat, Sep 27, 2008 at 10:29 AM, Mahadeswara Swamy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: > 4' O clock plant (Mirabilis jalapa - check the spelling) > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: kaysat tiwari <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: [email protected] > Sent: Friday, 26 September, 2008 8:27:15 PM > Subject: [indiantreepix:5060] Plant for ID 28 > > Dear All, > This plant was photographed in Bhopal Arera Colony area. It is a small bush > type plant presently less than 2 ft tall. Flowering near road side and on > garbage dumps. > May I request you all to help me in ID. > I could not find it Issaac's book or in Wetland flora of Gangetic plains. > Thanks. > Satyendra > > -- > Satyendra K.Tiwari. > Wildlife Photographer, Naturalist, Tour Leader > H.NO <http://h.no/> 139, P.O.Tala, Distt Umariya. > M.P. India 484-661 > 00-91-7627-265309 or 09425331209 > > > > ------------------------------ > Get an email ID as [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] Click > here.<http://in.rd.yahoo.com/tagline_dbid_4/*http://in.promos.yahoo.com/address> > > > -- With regards, J.M.Garg "We often ignore the beauty around us" Creating Awareness about Indian Flora & Fauna: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Jmgarg1 For learning about our trees & plants, please visit/ join Google e-group (Indiantreepix) http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "indiantreepix" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
