Mirabilis jalapa

Species category

Flower, Weed

Common name

common four o'clock, marvel-of-Peru

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

AcheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.

Shape

ObovateObovate:
Inverted egg shaped with apical end the broadest.

Size

  • Length 7–8 mm
  • Width 4–4 mm
  • Thickness 4–5 mm

Color

Brown

Texture

Striate

Other structures

Cross-section is circular.

Identification notes

Crown-like structure at apexApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
. Base has recurved point.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Nyctaginaceae

Valid name

Mirabilis jalapa L.

 Mirabilis jalapa.  Achenes with a crown-like structure at the apex.
Mirabilis jalapa. Achenes with a crown-like structure at the apex.
 Mirabilis jalapa.  Achenes with a recurved point at the base.
Mirabilis jalapa. Achenes with a recurved point at the base.