Mirabilis coccinea
Red four o'clock
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Family: Nyctaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Mirabilis coccinea (Red four o'clock) is a native California herb in the Nyctaginaceae family, recognized by bright red flowers and linear leaves.
Red four o'clock is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the Desert Mountains in dry, rocky slopes and washes at elevations of 1,300 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces bright red flowers in funnel-shaped perianths 15 to 20 millimeters long. Growing with ascending to erect stems up to 60 centimeters tall, the plant is glaucous and glabrous with a distinctive appearance. Its leaves are linear, fleshy, and nearly sessile, measuring 2 to 12 centimeters long and glabrous. The fruit is club-shaped, approximately 5 millimeters long, with 5 distinct ribs that are coarsely wrinkled between fine hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; distinguished by bright red flowers and linear leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, rocky slopes, washes
Elevation: 1300-1800 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Outside California: to western New Mexico, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Mirabilis coccinea blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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 coccinea native to California?
Yes. Mirabilis coccinea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Mirabilis coccinea bloom?
Mirabilis coccinea blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Mirabilis coccinea grow?
Mirabilis coccinea occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 1300-1800 m.
What plant family does Mirabilis coccinea belong to?
Mirabilis coccinea is in the Nyctaginaceae family, genus Mirabilis.
Is Mirabilis coccinea rare or endangered?
Mirabilis coccinea carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.