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Gardening

eppur_se_muova

(38,959 posts)

1. I just learned "four o'clock" is the name of a plant. Without that, I had no idea what you were talking about !

Reply to Figarosmom (Original post)

Wed Apr 9, 2025, 02:06 PM

Apr 9

Mirabilis jalapa, the marvel of Peru[1] or four o'clock flower, is the most commonly grown ornamental species of Mirabilis plant, and is available in a range of colors. Mirabilis in Latin means wonderful and Jalapa (or Xalapa) is the state capital of Veracruz in Mexico. Mirabilis jalapa is believed to have been cultivated by the Aztecs for medicinal and ornamental purposes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirabilis_jalapa

One more thing named after Jalapa ! In this case, it's "the Jalapa" in Peru, whereas the city of Jalapa in Mexico gave us the names Jalapeno and, apparently, (through Procrustean mangling by anglophones) "jalopy".

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Just learned this morning [View all] Figarosmom Apr 9 OP

I just learned "four o'clock" is the name of a plant. Without that, I had no idea what you were talking about ! eppur_se_muova Apr 9 #1