FOUR-O'CLOCK


Meaning of FOUR-O'CLOCK in English

Ornamental perennial plant ( Mirabilis jalapa ; family Nyctaginaceae), also called marvel-of-Peru or beauty-of-the-night, native to the tropical New World.

It is a quick-growing species up to 3 ft (1 m) tall, with oval leaves on short leafstalks. The stems are swollen at the joints. The plant is called four-o'clock because its flowers, which vary from white and yellow to shades of pink and red, sometimes streaked and mottled, open in late afternoon (and close by morning).

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia.      Краткая энциклопедия Британика.