Mirabilis albida
Dwarf four o'clock
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · licence
Family: Nyctaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Mirabilis albida (Dwarf four o'clock) is a native California subshrub in the Nyctaginaceae family, recognized by elevation, small flower size, and fruit characteristics.
Dwarf four o'clock is a California native perennial found in the San Bernardo Mountains, San Jacinto Mountains, White and Inyo Mountains, and Desert Mountains in dry, rocky areas at elevations of 1,400 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces light pink to magenta flowers in delicate, cup-shaped involucres up to 8 millimeters long. Growing with decumbent to erect stems 10 to 50 centimeters tall, it has short to long stem hairs that may be glandular. Its lanceolate leaves range from 2 to 6 centimeters long, with petioles less than 4 centimeters. The fruit is 3 to 5 millimeters long, tapered at both ends with five prominent ribs and distinctive warty or wrinkled surfaces between the ribs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; distinguished by elevation, small flower size, and fruit characteristics
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, rocky areas
Elevation: 1400-2500 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo
Outside California: North America
Bloom period
Mirabilis albida blooms May-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Nicotiana: Mirabilis flowers sit in a cup of 5 green bracts; Nicotiana has true tubular flowers with 5-lobed petals.; vs Allionia: Mirabilis has 5 bracts and symmetrical flowers; Allionia has 3 bracts and 3 lopsided flowers.; vs Phacelia: Mirabilis flowers sit in green bract cups; Phacelia has coiled clusters with 5 separate petals and hairy leaves.; vs Petunia: Mirabilis has colorful sepals in bract cups; Petunia has fused true petals forming a funnel with capsule fruits.; vs Pelargonium: Mirabilis has opposite leaves and flowers in bract cups; Pelargonium has alternate leaves and 5 separate petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mirabilis albida native to California?
Yes. Mirabilis albida is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Mirabilis albida bloom?
Mirabilis albida blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Mirabilis albida grow?
Mirabilis albida occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, at elevations of 1400-2500 m.
What plant family does Mirabilis albida belong to?
Mirabilis albida is in the Nyctaginaceae family, genus Mirabilis.
What habitat does Mirabilis albida grow in?
Mirabilis albida grows in Dry, rocky areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.