Mirabilis multiflora var. pubescens
Colorado four o'clock
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Nyctaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Mirabilis multiflora var. pubescens (Colorado four o'clock) is a native California subshrub in the Nyctaginaceae family, recognized by variety-level differences in fruit ribbing and wet texture.
Colorado four o'clock is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada Foothills, southern San Joaquin Valley, eastern Peninsular Ranges, White and Inyo Mountains, and Desert regions in dry, rocky or sandy places at elevations of 50 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces magenta to pink flowers in clusters that open late in the day. Growing with spreading stems 30 to 90 centimeters tall, it forms a robust and somewhat sprawling habit. Its leaves are ovate to broadly lance-shaped, opposite along the stem, with soft, pubescent surfaces that give the variety its distinctive texture. The fruit features slender tan ribs alternating with interrupted brown lines, creating an intricate surface pattern on its seed covering.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; variety-level differences in fruit ribbing and wet texture
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, rocky or sandy places
Elevation: 50-2100 m
California counties: San Diego, San Bernardino, Kern, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Inyo, Madera, Mono, Tulare, Ventura, Santa Barbara
Outside California: to southwestern Utah, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Mirabilis multiflora var. pubescens blooms Apr-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. pubescens native to California?
Yes. Mirabilis multiflora var. pubescens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Mirabilis multiflora var. pubescens bloom?
Mirabilis multiflora var. pubescens blooms Apr-Aug.
Where in California does Mirabilis multiflora var. pubescens grow?
Mirabilis multiflora var. pubescens occurs in San Diego, San Bernardino, Kern, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Inyo, Madera and other counties, at elevations of 50-2100 m.
What plant family does Mirabilis multiflora var. pubescens belong to?
Mirabilis multiflora var. pubescens is in the Nyctaginaceae family, genus Mirabilis.
What habitat does Mirabilis multiflora var. pubescens grow in?
Mirabilis multiflora var. pubescens 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.