Herbs, perennial (annual); roots tuberous [swollen taproot]. Stems erect to decumbent, densely [sparsely] leafy, leaves ± evenly distributed. Leaves: basal leaves petiolate, larger; distal leaves short petiolate or sessile, smaller, margins entire. Inflorescences compact cymes in distal axils and terminal; involucres slightly accrescent, narrowly bell-shaped, each with 1 flower inserted at base. Flowers: perianth [short] long funnelform, tubes narrow, limb abruptly flared, deeply 5-lobed; stamens 5. Fruits with 5 low ribs or blunt angles, ellipsoid to obovoid, base prominently constricted, apex rounded to nipplelike, surface of fruit smooth or low tuberculate, glabrate to puberulent, not mucilaginous when wetted.

Species ca. 10 (2 in the flora): sw United States, Mexico, n Central America; Mirabilis jalapa is widely introduced.

SELECTED REFERENCE

Le Duc, A. 1995. A revision of Mirabilis section Mirabilis (Nyctaginaceae). Sida 16: 613-648.