Nyctaginaceae (Four O'Clock Family)

The family is represented here by perennial herbs. Flowers are subtended by bracts, some of which are united, making a cuplike container. The calyces are corollalike in form and color; petals are lacking.

Abronia nanaWatson ssp. covilleiHeimerl. Munz. Limestone Sand-verbena. A tufted, somewhat glandular perennial from a branching root crown. Leaf blades are oblong to ovate, 1/4–3/4 in (6–20 mm) long, on slender petioles several times longer than the blades. Flowers are in terminal heads on naked stems 1–4 in (2.5–10 cm) high. These are subtended by short, lanceolate bracts. Individual flowers are tubular, about 1/2 in (13 mm) long, flaring at the top. Flower: Pinkish to white.

Distribution. Locally in open places in the Bristlecone Pine Forest and upper Pinyon-juniper Woodland and Subalpine Zone, 7,800–10,200 ft (2,378–3,110 m).

Mirabilis alipes(Watson) Pilz. Hermidium, Rose Four O'clock. (Hermidium alipes Watson) (Plate 6.120) Stems are 8–16 in (2–4 dm) long from a perennial root, making a broad clump. Leaves are opposite, bluish green, glaucous and glabrous, broadly ovate, 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm) long. Flowers, subtended by green or purplish bracts, are clustered at the ends of the branches. They are funnel-shaped, up to 1 in (2.5 cm) long, abruptly flaring at the top. Like the other four o'clocks, they open in late afternoon. Flower: Rose to pink.

Distribution. A Nevada species that has become established along routes from that state; dry canyons and roadsides; Desert Scrub, 4,000–6,500 ft (1,220–1,982 m).

Mirabilis bigeloviiGray var. bigelovii. Wishbone Bush. (Plate 6.121) A much-branching, bushy perennial, 12–20 in (3–5 dm) high, with somewhat sticky foliage. Leaves are opposite, mostly ovate, 3/8–1 1/4 in (1–3 cm) long. Flowers are clustered at the ends of the branches. They are dainty, broadly bell-shaped, generally 3/8 in (1 cm) long, opening in late afternoon. Fruit is ovoid, commonly mottled. The common name comes from the wishbone shape of the branch forks. Flower: White to pale pink or lavender.

Distribution. Common in canyons throughout the range; Desert Scrub and Pinyon-juniper Woodland, 4,500–7,200 ft (1,372–2,195 m).

Var.aspera(Greene) Munz. Wishbone Bush. Similar to var. bigelovii but stems more sticky-hairy. Fruit is roundish, with 10 pale vertical lines.

Distribution. Inyo Mountains and southern part of White Mountains; Desert Scrub, below 6,500 ft (1,982 m).

Var.retrorsa(Heller) Munz. Wishbone Bush. Similar to var. aspera but stems with hairs turned downward. Fruit is roundish, some striate.

Distribution. Same as for var. aspera; Desert Scrub, below 6,000 ft (1,829 m).

Mirabilis multifloraTorr. var. pubescensWatson. Giant Four O'clock.(Mirabilis froebelii) (Plate 6.122) A much-branched perennial with ascending stems, 12–30 in (3–7 dm) long. The plant has a growth habit similar to M. alipes, but it usually forms broader clumps, up to 4 or 5 ft (1.3 or 1.6 m) across. Leaves are lightly to densely sticky-hairy, broadly ovate, rarely heart-shaped, 1–3 in (2.5–8 cm) long. Flowers, loosely clustered at the ends of the branches, are held in bell-shaped involucres about an inch deep, with toothlike lobes. The funnel-shaped flowers are about 1 1/2 in (4 cm) long, broadly flaring above. It is a showy plant when the flowers are open at the end of the day until morning, when the bright sunlight closes them. Flower: Rose-purple.

Distribution. Locally on talus slopes and other rocky places; Desert Scrub and Pinyon-juniper Woodland, 4,000–8,000 ft (1,220–2,439 m).

Mirabilis pumila(Standl.) Standl. Little Umbrella-wort.(Oxybaphus pumilus) (Plate 6.123) An erectly branching perennial, 4–20 in (1–5 dm) tall. Leaves are triangular to ovate, mostly about 1 in (2.5 cm) long. The lower portion of the plant is leafy; the upper portion is in narrow, flowering spikes. The inflorescence is densely sticky-hairy. Flowers are about 3/8 in (1 cm) long and the calyx-like involucres enlarge to almost as long in fruit. Flower: Pale pink.

Distribution. Uncommon, gravelly washes; Desert Scrub, 5,000–6,000 ft (1,524–1,829 m).