Macfarlane's Four O'Clock ⚠️ Threatened
Mirabilis macfarlanei
- Native to:
- United States
Either Roger Rosentreter or Ann DeBolt, though in some cases it may be the work of a BLM technician or other botanist
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Nyctaginaceae
- Genus:
- Mirabilis
- Species:
- Mirabilis macfarlanei
- USDA Symbol:
- MIMA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, magenta
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Lithariapteryx abroniaeella
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Lithariapteryx abroniaeella
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, hawkmoths
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to open, rocky slopes and grasslands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best after cold stratification. Flowers open in evening and attract hawkmoths.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI