Sweet Four O'Clock
Mirabilis longiflora
Observed on a riparian stream terrace near Rio Rico in Santa Cruz Co., Arizona, USA. 1 August 2010.
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FLOWERS: The very long tubular 
flowers are
white with conspicuous, port-wine colored stamen filaments. The flowers tend to
open in the late afternoon and remain open overnight till the following
morning. These flowers are pollinated by hawk moths, (Sphingidae), at night;
they're the only insect with such a long, slender proboscis to reach the nectar
in the base of the tube.
LEAVES: Narrowly heart-shaped leaves are dark green and opposite.
HERBACEOUS: A summer annual with typically a few
meter-tall stems. Very often many plants are seen growing together.
RANGE: Open or shady areas adjacent to riparian habitats that are
occasionally innundated and have deep accumulations of moist silt. Common in
late summer into fall in canyon bottoms from Arizona to west Texas.
FRUIT: Dry, five angled capsules.
UNARMED
Nyctaginaceae -- Four O'Clock Family
More Information:
- Southwest Environmental Information Network
- USDA Plant Profile
- ITIS Taxonomic Report
- Google Images
- Google Scholar Literature Search