Scarlet Four O'Clock

Mirabilis coccinea

Native to:
Mexico, United States

📍 View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Nyctaginaceae
Genus:
Mirabilis
Species:
Mirabilis coccinea
USDA Symbol:
MICO7

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
60 cm
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep
Bloom Colors:
red, scarlet

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
hummingbirds, butterflies, bees
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from deep tuberous roots after fire; adapted to periodic grassland and desert scrub fires.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
7–21 days
Notes:
Seeds germinate readily with warm temperatures; no pretreatment typically required.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI