Plant Image
Fading flower
Willow Lake Tr - Sue Smith


Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants

Mirabilis linearis - narrowleaf four o'clock

Synonyms: Oxybaphus linearis, Allionia linearis, A. decumbens, A. gausapoides, Allionia linearis and more see SEINET
Other Common Names: ribbon four o'clock, linearleaf four-o'clock
Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub

Family: Nyctaginaceae


   
 
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Flower head
Willow Lake Tr
Sue Smith
Leaves and stem
Willow Lake Tr
Sue Smith
Leaves and stem
Willow Lake Tr
Sue Smith
Plant - summer
Willow Lake Tr
Sue Smith
Flower bracts and seeds
Willow Lake Tr
Sue Smith
Forb Plant Description

Origin: Native   Life Cycle: Perennial   Similar Species: Mirabilis coccinea
General Desc: Stems arise from elongate woody taproots; stems erect to ascending or procumbent (stems grow along the ground but do not root), usually without hairs at least above, and often whitish-waxy below. White to pink-purple flowers arranged in terminal clusters.
Identification notes: Leaf blades at least 5 times as long as wide; 5-parted calyx is pink or purple, usually pale, twice as long as bracts; whorl of united bracts is enlarged and papery in fruit; fruit strongly 5-angled.
Height: 1 to 3-1/2 feet


Habitat

Habitat Description: Oak woodlands and often in pine forests. Prefers open sandy, gravelly, or rocky soils and disturbed areas.
Plant Communities: Interior Chaparral, Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Montane Conifer Forest, Disturbed Areas
Elevation: 4500 - 9500 feet


Flower Characteristics

Color: Pale purple to purplish-red     Shape: Regular in clusters     Tubular: Y     Flowering Period: Jul - Sep
Description: Funnel-shaped, 5 lobed with long stamens, width to 3/4 inch, length to 1 inch. Flower bracts papery. Terminal flower clusters have a distinct main axis and short lateral branches (panicle); occasional flower clusters also scattered in leaf axils.


Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Grayish-green     Leaf Type: Simple     Leaf Shape: Narrow     Leaf Margin: Smooth     Leaf Attachment: Opposite     Leaves Clasp: N
Hairs: Stems     Spines: N
Leaf Description: Leaves sticky, strongly ascending to spreading, leaf stems to 1/4 inch long; blades green to blue-gray and glaucous (white or grayish powdery coating), narrow, thin to fleshy, thick, and succulent, narrow at the base, tips tapered or rounded.


Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Color: Greenish-brown   
Fruit Type: Achene
Fruit Notes: Narrow and rounded, tapering at both ends; spreading crinkled hairs in tufts or evenly distributed.
Seed Notes: Single, pale yellowish-brown seed.



  Arizona Cooperative Extension
Yavapai County
840 Rodeo Dr #C
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 445-6590
Version 8.0  
http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php  
Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022
Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson  
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