Bashful Four O’Clock: A Rare Nevada Native Worth Protecting
Meet the bashful four o’clock (Mirabilis pudica var. pubescens), a perennial wildflower that’s as elusive as it sounds. This native Nevada gem belongs to a fascinating group of plants that seem to have mastered the art of being wonderfully mysterious – and that mystery extends to gardeners who might be curious about growing it.
A True Nevada Native
The bashful four o’clock is a proud native of the American West, specifically calling Nevada home. As a member of the four o’clock family, this herbaceous perennial (or forb, in botanical terms) lacks the woody stems of shrubs and trees, instead growing as a soft-stemmed flowering plant that returns year after year from its roots.
Currently, this variety is documented as growing in Nevada, making it a true regional specialty plant. Its limited geographic distribution is part of what makes this plant so special – and so important to protect.
Rarity Alert: Handle with Care
Here’s where things get serious, fellow plant lovers. The bashful four o’clock carries a conservation status of S3T1?, which signals that this plant may face conservation concerns. While the exact meaning of this status is somewhat undefined, the question mark tells us that more research is needed to fully understand its population status.
What does this mean for gardeners? If you’re considering adding this plant to your landscape, it’s crucial to source it responsibly. Never collect plants from the wild, and only purchase from reputable native plant nurseries that can verify their plants were ethically propagated, not wild-collected.
The Mystery of Growing Bashful Four O’Clock
Unfortunately, detailed growing information for this specific variety remains limited. Like many rare native plants, the bashful four o’clock hasn’t been extensively studied for garden cultivation. What we do know is that as a Nevada native, it’s likely adapted to:
- Arid or semi-arid conditions
- Well-draining soils
- Temperature extremes typical of the Great Basin region
- Limited water availability
Should You Grow It?
The bashful four o’clock presents an interesting dilemma for native plant enthusiasts. On one hand, growing rare natives can help preserve genetic diversity and support conservation efforts. On the other hand, the limited information about this plant’s cultivation needs makes it a challenging choice for most gardeners.
If you’re determined to include a four o’clock in your Nevada native garden, consider these points:
- Only purchase from nurseries specializing in Nevada natives
- Ensure the plant was propagated, not wild-collected
- Be prepared for some trial and error in growing conditions
- Consider it a conservation garden experiment rather than a sure bet
Alternative Four O’Clock Options
If you love the idea of four o’clocks but want a more reliable garden performer, consider looking into other Mirabilis species that are better documented and more readily available. Many four o’clocks share similar drought tolerance and evening-blooming characteristics that make them interesting additions to water-wise gardens.
The Bottom Line
The bashful four o’clock lives up to its name – it’s shy about revealing its secrets, rare in the wild, and modest about its garden potential. While it represents an intriguing piece of Nevada’s native plant heritage, it’s probably best left to serious native plant collectors and conservation-minded gardeners who understand the responsibility that comes with growing rare species.
For most gardeners, appreciating this plant in its natural habitat (should you be lucky enough to encounter it) might be the best way to honor this bashful beauty. Sometimes the most special plants are the ones we admire from a respectful distance.
