Four O'Clock (Mirabilis jalapa)

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Bug_Girl San Francisco, CA Oct 29, 2002

Roots of the Four O'Clock

Common name: Four O'Clock
Family: Nyctaginaceae
Genus: Mirabilis
Species jalapa

Plant Link: http://plantsdatabase.com/go/92/

Thumbnail by Bug_Girl
Post #396796
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Ulrich Manhattan Beach, CA(Zone 11) Oct 29, 2002

I have seen these roots as large as a water melon - something for Ripley's.

Post #396812
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CoyoteSpirit Citrus Heights, CA(Zone 9b) Oct 29, 2002

Holy potatos! I had no idea they grew roots like that...heh i grow em but never pull them up...now im gonna dig one up as soon as i can and see for myself!

Post #396854
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Bug_Girl San Francisco, CA Oct 30, 2002

That is just what they grow it one season, I can't even imagine what an old one would look like. If you dig one up can you photograph it and post the photo?

Post #396894
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philomel Castelnau RB Pyrenée, France(Zone 8a) Oct 30, 2002

I had to look up the PDB entry, 'cos those roots look meaty enough to be worth eating - particularly the ones the size of watermelons Ulrich :) - but they're poisonous
8-(

Post #397054
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Bug_Girl San Francisco, CA Oct 30, 2002

Interesting that the plant grows as much below ground as above ground.

Post #397089
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darlenecom Lake Charles, LA(Zone 9a) Sep 30, 2003

Yes, the roots become "monsters". There is no getting rid of 4 o'clocks once they are established, unless you get every bit of root out. Even the very young plants have large swollen tuber-like-roots, after one season. Every year, I pull up and throw away so many. If I don't do this, they take over the garden. It is usually January or February before we get a freeze, hard enough to just kill the tops. The roots never get frozen or killed.

Post #665949
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deborahsongs Fort Worth, TX Jun 10, 2004

What's up with mine? They don't bloom untill about 10PM. I have been spoiled by the moonflower and morning glory, being fairly predictable and then this...Everyone said they could set their watch by these, but if I did I would be reeeeally late for everything.It's too dark to snap their pics at 10 here in TX..:-)....What am I doing wrong here y'all?, please help.

*This photo is 2 merged together, one taken at 4 o'clock (buds closed). The other the next day after the 10 o'clock blooming *

Thumbnail by deborahsongs
Post #904925
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SteveIndy Greenwood, IN(Zone 5b) Mar 03, 2006

Thank you for the pictures - I was digging just yesterday to find a spot for a new Hydrangea I bought. I found a bunch of carrot-shaped black roots in the ground and I was not sure what I had hit. I replanted them in another location, not knowing what they were. Then I reembered the only thing I could think of having in that location were a bunch of Four O'Clock's, but I planted them a few years ago by seed and had no idea the roots looked like this. Thanks for confirming what they were!!!!!!!!

Post #2082808
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irene678 elhovo, Bulgaria Oct 14, 2007

hi, wonder of wonders, i have actually managed to get a cutting of f.o.p. to root!!! having read the forums i thought this wouldn't be possible....... i am going to plant it today, and will let you know how it does.
happy irene

Post #4080761
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