Heartleaf four-o'clock (Oxybaphus nyctagineus)

Heartleaf four-o'clock (Oxybaphus nyctagineus), fam. Nyctaginaceae.
   A relative of the Marvel of Peru (Four-o'clock flower), begins to bloom a few days earlier, in the late May or June. The shoots have long interstices, with numerous ramifications in the axils of opposite leaves. The branches carry the umbellate inflorescences with pink flowers. It hot weather they are open only in the evening or night, but in cool they could live much longer, apparently up to one day.
   Originates from North America. The plant can be used as ornamental, but the feral exemplars can also be met as weeds. Heartleaf four-o'clock contains toxic substances; however, there is information about its use as antiinflammatory and analgesic by Native American tribes.

Heartleaf four-o'clock (Oxybaphus nyctagineus) Heartleaf four-o'clock (Oxybaphus nyctagineus) Heartleaf four-o'clock (Oxybaphus nyctagineus) Heartleaf four-o'clock (Oxybaphus nyctagineus) Heartleaf four-o'clock (Oxybaphus nyctagineus) Heartleaf four-o'clock (Oxybaphus nyctagineus)