Mirabilis jalapa var. jalapa
Wishbone bush
Family: Nyctaginaceae · Type: Perennial · Not Native
Mirabilis jalapa var. jalapa (Wishbone bush) is a non-native California perennial in the Nyctaginaceae family, recognized by non-native status, large leaves, and very large flowers.
Wishbone bush is a naturalized perennial found in the San Francisco Bay Area in disturbed places with mild winters at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces dramatic funnel-shaped flowers that range from bright magenta to yellow, white, and orange, sometimes appearing variegated. Growing up to one meter tall with erect stems that have sparse or no hairs, it develops distinctive umbel-like flower clusters. Its large leaves measure 5 to 14 centimeters long, shaped broadly ovate to heart-shaped. The fruit is an interesting 8 to 10 millimeter ovoid structure with 5 blunt ribs that appear slightly wrinkled or warty.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; distinguished by non-native status, large leaves, and very large flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed places with mild winters
Elevation: < 300 m
Outside California: native to tropical America
Bloom period
Mirabilis jalapa var. jalapa blooms Generally May-Oct.
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 jalapa var. jalapa native to California?
No. Mirabilis jalapa var. jalapa is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Mirabilis jalapa var. jalapa bloom?
Mirabilis jalapa var. jalapa blooms Generally May-Oct.
What plant family does Mirabilis jalapa var. jalapa belong to?
Mirabilis jalapa var. jalapa is in the Nyctaginaceae family, genus Mirabilis.
What habitat does Mirabilis jalapa var. jalapa grow in?
Mirabilis jalapa var. jalapa grows in Disturbed places with mild winters.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-09
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.