Mirabilis multiflora var. glandulosa
Colorado four o'clock
Photo: parent species Mirabilis multiflora · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Nyctaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Mirabilis multiflora var. glandulosa (Colorado four o'clock) is a native California herb in the Nyctaginaceae family, recognized by variety-level differences in bract tips and fruit texture when wet.
Colorado four o'clock is a California native perennial found in the northern Mojave Desert, specifically Inyo County, in dry, rocky or sandy places at elevations of 900 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces magenta to pink flowers with short-acuminate bracts. Growing with spreading stems up to 60 centimeters tall, it forms a robust and somewhat sprawling habit. Its leaves are broadly ovate to rounded, with a soft, slightly fleshy texture that helps it survive in arid environments. When wet, the fruit becomes gelatinous and develops faint warty ribs, a unique characteristic of this desert-adapted species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; variety-level differences in bract tips and fruit texture when wet
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, rocky or sandy places
Elevation: 900-2500 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo, Kern, San Bernardino, Tulare
Outside California: to western Colorado
Bloom period
Mirabilis multiflora var. glandulosa 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 multiflora var. glandulosa native to California?
Yes. Mirabilis multiflora var. glandulosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Mirabilis multiflora var. glandulosa bloom?
Mirabilis multiflora var. glandulosa blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Mirabilis multiflora var. glandulosa grow?
Mirabilis multiflora var. glandulosa occurs in Mono, Inyo, Kern, San Bernardino, Tulare, at elevations of 900-2500 m.
What plant family does Mirabilis multiflora var. glandulosa belong to?
Mirabilis multiflora var. glandulosa is in the Nyctaginaceae family, genus Mirabilis.
What habitat does Mirabilis multiflora var. glandulosa grow in?
Mirabilis multiflora var. glandulosa grows in Dry, rocky or sandy places.
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.