Four O’Clock Plant
A tropical and subtropical plant but also in warm temperate areas. It will grow on most soils. It needs an open, sunny position. It is damaged by drought or frost. In Nepal it grows up to 1800 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. In Yunnan.
Also known as:
Ao zi mo li, Asarumma, Badracha, Ban yen, Belle de nuit, Bongphan, Bunga pechah empat, Bunga pukul empat, Bunga waktu kechil, Di lao shu, Gurumash gadda, Jovan, Kederat, Kembang pagi sore, Kembang pukul empat, Lankaphul, Marvel of Peru, Nachtschone, Navadna nočna lepotica, Nitcha mulligah, Petel, Purple Jasmine, Rouge flower, Segerat, Seroja, Sondha shak, Te aoaaua, Undi mandarei, Vieruursbloem, Yanzhihua, Zimoli
Synonyms
- Jalapa officinalis Crantz.
- Mirabilis dichotoma L.
- Nyctago jalapa DC.
Edible Portion
- Leaves, Seeds - spice, Flowers - colouring, Vegetable, Root - tea
Where does Four O’Clock Plant grow?
Found in: Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Caroline Islands, Central America, China, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Easter Island, Europe, Fiji, France, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Kiribati, Korea, Laos, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Norfolk Island, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Peru, Rotuma, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, St Helena, Suriname, Tasmania, Thailand, Turkey, Tuvalu, United States, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Notes: It has a range of medicinal uses. There are about 50 Mirabilis species.
Status: It is sold in local markets in China. It is cultivated.
Growing Four O’Clock Plant
Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed should be soaked in warm water overnight before planting. Seedlings can be transplanted. Plants can also be grown from the thick root tuber or by splitting the roots. Plants should be spaced 30-45 cm apart.
Edible Uses: The leaves are cooked and eaten as an emergency food only. The flowers give a red dye used for food colouring. It is used with seaweed cakes and jellies. The seeds are crushed and used as a pepper substitute.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves | 51 | 4.9 | 11.5 | - | - | 0.4 | 83.4 |
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