Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Nyctaginaceae

Genus:

Mirabilis

Species:

Mirabilis melanotricha

USDA Symbol:

MIME8

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

60 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep

Bloom Colors:

white, pink

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

hawkmoths, bees

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fragrant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts from deep tuberous roots following fire; common in fire-prone desert grasslands.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

native to arid regions, prefers open, sunny areas

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

None required

Germination Time:

7–21 days

Notes:

Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment; warm temperatures around 70°F promote germination.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI