Practical
Plants

Mirabilis jalapa

Marvel Of Peru

a perennial member of the Mirabilis genus in the family Nyctaginaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.45 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seeds and the rots are reported to cause digestive disturbances[12].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Tender young leaves - cooked as a vegetable[2][5][11]. An emergency food, only eaten when all else fails[4]. An edible crimson dye is obtained from the flowers[13][14][2][4]. It is used for colouring cakes and jellies[5]. The seed is crushed and used as a pepper substitute[2][4][5].

Product or use
Colouring
Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root is aphrodisiac, diuretic and purgative. It is used in the treatment of dropsy[13][14][3][8][10]. A paste of the root is applied as a poultice to treat scabies and muscular swellings[11]. The juice of the root is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, indigestion and fevers[11]. The powdered root, mixed with corn flour (Zea mays) is baked and used in the treatment of menstrual disorders[11]. The leaves are diuretic[11]. They are used to reduce inflammation[10]. A decoction of them is used to treat abscesses[8]. The leaf juice is used to treat wounds[8].

Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Purgative
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The powdered seed is used as a cosmetic[13][14].

Product or use
Cosmetic
Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
S. America - Peru. Naturalized in France and possibly other places in Europe.
Habitat
Not known
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[6]. Division in spring as the plant comes into growth[7].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in almost any ordinary garden soil[1]. Prefers a fertile well-drained soil in full sun or part day shade[7]. 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[7]. Tubers can be lifted and stored over winter in a cool frost free place in the same way that dahlia tubers are stored[1][7]. The marvel of Peru is usually grown as a half-hardy annual in temperate zones, it flowers freely in its first year[7]. 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[7]. This species was cultivated as a medicinal plant by the Aztecs prior to the Spanish conqust[12]. The flowers are sweetly scented and do not open until the afternoon[9]. The young growth is particularly susceptible to aphis infestation[7]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.

    ↩

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Popenoe. H. et al Lost Crops of the Incas National Academy Press 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-309-04264-X

    ↩

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  8. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2

  10. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  11. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  12. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

    ↩1↩2

  13. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2↩3

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