Sanje” means evening in Kannada and “Mallige” means Jasmine. Since the flowers bloom at around four in the evenings and wilt by morning it is called as Sanje Mallige in Kannada and Four O clock flowers in English. They have other beautiful names like “Marvel of Peru” and Mirabilis Jalapa (Mirabilis in Latin means wonderful and Jalapa is a town in Mexico). These plants are perennials and are known for their pleasant fragrance.
Sanje Mallige / Four O Clock flowers is a native of Peruvian Andes. These flowers are 2 inches long trumpet shaped and an inch across. The flowers are yellow, magenta, bright pink, white, red, double color and sometimes more than one color flowers on a single plant. The plants grow upright up to 2 to 3 feet tall with many branches and bloom in summer. The flowers are not formed from petals but from pigmented modification of the calyx.
Photgraphed at Sangama
Butterflies and bees pollinate the flowers before sunset and nocturnal pollinators pollinate after sunset, which are attracted to the flowers by their fragrance.
The seeds look like peppercorns and these plants multiply rapidly and are one of the beautiful weeds across the tropical countries.
Propagation
Sanjemallige plant is propagated either by seeds or by its tubers. The plant can be grown either in pots or in direct soil. Plant them under direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist and feed with a fertilizer every two months.
Knowledge Capsule
The Four O Clock flowers are used to obtain an edible crimson dye, which is used to color food like cakes and jellies.
Medicinal Value
Parts of this plant are used as purgative, diuretic, and to heal wounds.
Related Images:
Mirabilis Jalapa also attracts the amazing humming bird moths and I believe the roots has an antihistamin effect for allergic people.
Thanks for the information Manny.
dear sir/mm i am living at delhi i am very much delighted to see the four o’clock flowers but i couldnt get the seeds or plants can anyone borrow the seeds in single color and multicolors i am very much thankful to them. i am actualy plant lover i collect the plant wherever i visit but this one is very rare to get.
chitra singh
Hi Chitra,This plant is very common in South India. It grows in the wild. Hope you get the seeds soon.
Ill give you one medicinal use…….pick 4 to 5 leaves…..apply coconut or til oil….warm it on heat like stove or candle…. don’t burn just warm it…..and apply who is suffering with abcess on any part of the body…..if you apply it on night by morning it will open up and releases all the puss…..
Thank you so much, Roopa.