Mirabilis linearis var. linearis
Narrow leaf four o'clock
Family: Nyctaginaceae · Type: Perennial · Not Native
Mirabilis linearis var. linearis (Narrow leaf four o'clock) is a non-native California perennial in the Nyctaginaceae family, recognized by non-native status and very narrow leaves.
Narrow leaf four o'clock is a naturalized perennial found in southern California coastal areas including Orange and Riverside counties in riverbeds, roadsides, and gravelly places at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces pale pink to magenta flowers in broad clusters with cup-shaped involucres about 6 to 10 millimeters wide. Growing with ascending to erect stems up to one meter tall that are glabrous to finely strigose, it forms a distinctively structured plant. Its leaves are linear to narrowly lanceolate, approximately 3 to 10 centimeters long, with a slightly fleshy texture and gray hairiness. The fruit is club-shaped, about 5 millimeters long with five prominent ribs and a wrinkled surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinguished by non-native status and very narrow leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Riverbeds, railroads, roadsides, gravelly places
Elevation: < 300 m
Outside California: native Arizona to central United States, Mexico
Bloom period
Mirabilis linearis var. linearis blooms Jul-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 linearis var. linearis native to California?
No. Mirabilis linearis var. linearis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Mirabilis linearis var. linearis bloom?
Mirabilis linearis var. linearis blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Mirabilis linearis var. linearis belong to?
Mirabilis linearis var. linearis is in the Nyctaginaceae family, genus Mirabilis.
What habitat does Mirabilis linearis var. linearis grow in?
Mirabilis linearis var. linearis grows in Riverbeds, railroads, roadsides, gravelly places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.