Mirabilis laevis
Desert wishbone bush
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Family: Nyctaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Mirabilis laevis (Desert wishbone bush) is a native California subshrub in the Nyctaginaceae family, recognized by Broadly forked woody-based clamberer; involucres 1(2)-flowered, 3-7 mm; small (5-14 mm) white-to-magenta perianth.
Desert wishbone bush is a California native perennial found in desert bioregions, thriving in rocky or sandy habitats at moderate elevations. Flowering from spring to summer, this plant produces white to magenta flowers 5 to 14 millimeters long with delicate, clustered blooms. Growing 2 to 8 meters tall with broadly forked stems that clambering or form dense clumps, the plant has a distinctive woody base. Its fleshy leaves vary from glabrous to glandular-hairy, contributing to the plant's adaptable desert character. The fruit is an intriguing ovoid shape, typically dark-colored with subtle vertical lines and often bearing distinctive spots.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Broadly forked woody-based clamberer; involucres 1(2)-flowered, 3-7 mm; small (5-14 mm) white-to-magenta perianth
Habitat and range
California counties: Riverside, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Santa Barbara, Orange, San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, Fresno, San Luis Obispo
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 laevis native to California?
Yes. Mirabilis laevis is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Mirabilis laevis grow?
Mirabilis laevis occurs in Riverside, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Santa Barbara, Orange and other counties.
What plant family does Mirabilis laevis belong to?
Mirabilis laevis is in the Nyctaginaceae family, genus Mirabilis.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Mirabilis laevis var. crassifolia — Wishbone bush
- Mirabilis laevis var. retrorsa — Wishbone bush
- Mirabilis laevis var. villosa — Wishbone bush
- Mirabilis linearis var. linearis — Narrow leaf four o'clock
- Mirabilis multiflora — Colorado four o'clock
- Mirabilis multiflora var. glandulosa — Colorado four o'clock
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.