Marvel of Peru (Mirabilis jalapa) observed in Odessa, TX, USA
iNaturalist: ryan_castillo96
Citizen Science
If Marvel of Peru is naturalizing in the Permian Basin's harsh alkaline soils, it could be a surprisingly tough candidate for low-water ornamental plantings in your own hot, dry yard.
Someone in Odessa, Texas found and photographed a Marvel of Peru — a showy flowering plant originally from South America that opens its blooms in the late afternoon and evening. The observation was confirmed by enough people on iNaturalist to earn 'research-grade' status, meaning it's a trustworthy data point. It's a small but real piece of evidence that this plant is showing up in places where conditions are tough and dry.
Key Findings
Observation achieved research-grade status on iNaturalist, confirmed by multiple independent identifiers
Location is Odessa, TX — an arid, high-desert city averaging under 14 inches of annual rainfall, suggesting heat and drought tolerance
Mirabilis jalapa is a non-native ornamental in Texas; its presence in this region contributes to understanding its naturalization range in the American Southwest
chevron_right Technical Summary
A Marvel of Peru plant was spotted and verified in Odessa, Texas — a semi-arid West Texas city where this tropical ornamental is less commonly documented in the wild.
Abstract Preview
Research-grade observation of Marvel of Peru in Odessa, TX, USA.
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Species Mentioned
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Mirabilis jalapa, the marvel of Peru or four o'clock flower, is the most commonly grown ornamental species of Mirabilis plant, and is available in a range of colors. Mirabilis in Latin means wonderful and Jalapa is the state capital of Veracruz in Mexico. Mirabilis jalapa is believed to have been...