Definition

Noun: * A species of flowering plant in the four o'clock family (Nyctaginaceae), known for its showy, deep pink to magenta, funnel-shaped flowers that bloom in the late afternoon and evening. It is a perennial herb native to arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

Usage

• This term is used specifically as the botanical name for a particular wildflower. It is most commonly used in scientific, horticultural, or descriptive naturalist contexts.
• Example: "The desert garden was designed to feature native species like ."

Advanced Usage

• The genus name "" is Latin for "wonderful" or "remarkable." The species epithet "" means "many-flowered." Therefore, the full name can be understood descriptively as "the wonderful, many-flowered plant."
• In taxonomic writing, the binomial name is typically italicized.

Variants and Related Words

• Common Name: Colorado four o'clock, desert four o'clock, many-flowered four o'clock.
• Genus: (which includes other "four o'clock" plants).
• Family: Nyctaginaceae (the four o'clock family).

Synonyms

• Colorado four o'clock
• Desert four o'clock
• Torr. (The full citation including the authority, Torrey, who formally described the species.)

Different Meanings

• As a proper scientific name, does not have other conceptual meanings. It refers exclusively to this single plant species.

Noun

1. wildflower having vibrant deep pink tubular evening-blooming flowers; found in sandy and desert areas from southern California to southern Colorado and into Mexico