Mirabilis jalapa
| Mirabilis jalapa | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Mid Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Mirabilis jalapa (common name: marvel of peru)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seed remains viable for several years[1].
Division in spring as the plant comes into growth[2].
Cultivation: Succeeds in almost any ordinary garden soil[3]. Prefers a fertile well-drained soil in full sun or part day shade[2].
This species is not very hardy in Britain. The top growth is cut back by frost but the tuber survives the winter outdoors if the temperature does not fall much below -5°c, a good mulch would be beneficial[2]. Tubers can be lifted and stored over winter in a cool frost free place in the same way that dahlia tubers are stored[3][2]. The marvel of Peru is usually grown as a half-hardy annual in temperate zones, it flowers freely in its first year[2]. Plants also self-sow freely in warmer areas (these seedlings can be easily transplanted) and they can become a weed in such situations due to their deep rooting habit[2].
This species was cultivated as a medicinal plant by the Aztecs prior to the Spanish conqust[4].
The flowers are sweetly scented and do not open until the afternoon[5].
The young growth is particularly susceptible to aphis infestation[2].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[5].
Range: S. America - Peru. Naturalized in France and possibly other places in Europe.
Edibility: Tender young leaves - cooked as a vegetable[6][7][8]. An emergency food, only eaten when all else fails[9].
An edible crimson dye is obtained from the flowers[10][11][6][9]. It is used for colouring cakes and jellies[7].
The seed is crushed and used as a pepper substitute[6][9][7].
Medicinal: The root is aphrodisiac, diuretic and purgative. It is used in the treatment of dropsy[10][11][12][13][14]. A paste of the root is applied as a poultice to treat scabies and muscular swellings[8]. The juice of the root is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, indigestion and fevers[8]. The powdered root, mixed with corn flour (Zea mays) is baked and used in the treatment of menstrual disorders[8].
The leaves are diuretic[8]. They are used to reduce inflammation[14]. A decoction of them is used to treat abscesses[13]. The leaf juice is used to treat wounds[13].
Usage: The powdered seed is used as a cosmetic[10][11].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The seeds and the rots are reported to cause digestive disturbances[4].
Links
References
- ↑ Popenoe, Hugh. Lost Crops of the Incas. National Academy Press, 1990.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Diggs, George and Barney Lipscomb. Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute, 1999.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Ewart, Alfred. Recording Census of the Victorian Flora. 1923.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.