This document summarizes information about the Wishbone Plant/Bush (Mirabilis laevis var. crassifolia), including that it is: 1) A perennial herb native to coastal and desert areas in California that grows 1-3 feet tall and wide, with heart-shaped leaves and many weak stems arising from its base. 2) It blooms from December to June with pretty rose to dark pink flowers that have long white stamens with yellow anthers and open in the late afternoon. 3) The Wishbone Plant requires full sun to part shade, tolerates most soil types, and is very drought tolerant as it dies back during the dry season requiring little to

1. Wishbone Plant/Bush – Mirabilis laevis var. crassifolia (Mirabilis californica)
(mi-RAB-il-is LEE-vis Krass-ih-FOE-lee-uh)
Family: Nyctaginaceae (Four O’Clock Family)
Native to: CA Central & Southern coasts, Mojave & Sonoran Deserts, Channel Islands; on grassy,
rocky or sandy slopes, dunes, dry washes, in coastal sage scrub, chaparral and foothill woodlands.
herbaceous perennial mature height: 1-3 ft.
mature width: to 3 ft.
Low, bushy perennial with heart-shaped leaves and many weak stems arising from a base.
May
grow over other plants. Dies back in dry season (less so near coast). Stems glandular and hairy.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms mostly Dec-June; pretty, rose- to dark-pink flowers with five long-extended
stamens that are whitish with yellow anthers.
Night-pollinated so flowers open in the midafternoon. Small but showy when in bloom.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Mostly as a specimen plant and for its habitat value. Place in out-of-the-way
spot where dry, shriveled foliage is least noticeable.
Does fine in large pots.
Salvias, Buckwheats (Eriogonum), Encelias and cacti/succulents.
Looks nice with
Sensible substitute for: Non-native Mirabilis jalapa (Four-O’Clock; Marvel of Peru)
Excellent bee, butterfly and moth habitat (nectar source). Hummingbirds also attracted
Attracts:
by nectar.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part-shade
Any local texture, pH
Little or none; very drought tolerant as it dies back during the dry season.
None needed
Don’t over-water. Can be cut back after flowering to stimulate growth in coastal
Fairly easy to grow, needs little or no maintenance.
Management:
regions.
Propagation: from seed:
seeds in water overnight).
yes; not difficult. May germinate better by soaking in hot water (leave
by root divisions: probably
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 8, 10-14, 16, 20, 24, 28
12/11/10
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