Mirabilis multiflora

Herbs, forming hemispheric clumps 6–10 dm diam., glabrous or densely pubescent. Stems 4–7 dm. Leaves spreading; petioles of proximal leaves 2–4 cm; blades of midstem leaves ovate to widely ovate, sometimes suborbiculate, rarely reniform, 5–10 × 4–8 cm, base rounded to cordate, often asymmetric, apex acute or acuminate to obtuse, rarely rounded. Involucres: peduncle 4–75 mm; involucres erect or ascending, 33–35 mm; bracts 5, usually more than 50% connate, apex acute to obtuse or ovate. Flowers 6 per involucre; perianth magenta, funnelform, 2.5–6 cm. Fruits brown to black, with 10 slender, tan ribs alternating with 10 dark brown ribs, or ribs inconspicuous, ovoid or globose, 6–11 mm, smooth to rugulose, glabrous or pubescent, secreting mucilage or not when wetted. 2n = 66.

Distribution

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• Legacy Map

w United States, n Mexico.

Discussion

Varieties 3 (3 in the flora).

G. E. Pilz (1978) recognized three partially sympatric varieties based on presence or absence of mucilage production in the fruits, fruit color, and apical acuteness of involucral bracts. Overall, populations are poorly differentiated, and in some areas plants represent a “collage” (Pilz’s term) that combine characteristics of different varieties; S. L. Welsh et al. (1987) recognized no varieties. Mirabilis multiflora is used in the Southwest in a minor way in xeriscapes. Among indigenous peoples, it has been used as food and medicine (V. L. Bohrer 1975; L. S. M. Curtin 1947).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Mirabilis multiflora var. glandulosa, Mirabilis multiflora var. multiflora, Mirabilis multiflora var. pubescens

Key

1	Fruits tuberculate, mucilaginous when wetted; involucral bracts obtuse	Mirabilis multiflora var. glandulosa
1	Fruits smooth to slightly tuberculate, not mucilaginous when wetted; involucral bracts acute	> 2
2	Fruits dark brown to black, ribs inconspicu- ous	Mirabilis multiflora var. multiflora
2	Fruits light brown, with 10 slender, tan, longitudinal ribs alternating with 10 brown, often interrupted ribs.	Mirabilis multiflora var. pubescens