Mirabilis jalapa, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1964, Flora Europaea - Volume 1. Lycopodiaceae to Platanaceae, Cambridge University Press : 111

1. M. jalapa L. , Sp. Pl. 177 (1753).

Glabrous or slightly pubescent. Stems 50-100 cm, erect. Leaves ovate, acuminate. Flowers in crowded terminal cymes, opening in the afternoon. Perianth red, yellow, white or parti-coloured; limb c. 25 mm in diameter; tube 25-35 mm. Cultivated for ornament; naturalized in France and probably elsewhere. [Ga.] (Tropical America.)

Plants with scented flowers and the anthocarp more strongly ridged and verrucose than usual are sometimes distinguished as M. odorata L. , Cent. Pl. 1: 7 (1755) ( M. dichotoma L. ), but are probably best regarded as a variety of 1.