Roundleaf Four-o'clock / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Roundleaf Four-o'clock (Mirabilis rotundifolia)

Seedlings of Oxybaphus rotundifolius that were germinated in late January of 2002 Photo Credit: Michelle DePrenger-Levin
  • Global Rank: G2 - Imperiled
  • Legal Status: N/A
  • Family: Nyctaginaceae
  • State: CO
  • Nature Serve ID: 160996
  • Lifeform: Forb/herb
  • Date Inducted in National Collection: 02/10/1987
Description:

The Arkansas River Valley of Colorado supports many unusual flora. Although some taxa are abundant several are narrowly restricted to the area of carbonate shales of the Niobrara Formation (Von Bargen 1997). Oxybaphus rotundifolius is one of the narrow endemics whose distribution is limited to this area. The brilliant purple, trumpet-like flowers appear in June, opening in the morning and usually closing by mid-day.

Where is Roundleaf Four-o'clock (Mirabilis rotundifolia) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Restricted to barren shale outcrops of the Smoky Hill Member of the Niobrara Formation in sparse shrublands or woodlands. Elev. 4800-5600 ft. (Spackman et al. 1997).

Distribution:

Colorado endemic. Fremont and Pueblo Cos., in the Arkansas River Valley between Pueblo and Canon City (Kelso et al. 1995).

States & Provinces:

Roundleaf Four-o'clock can be found in Colorado

Which CPC Partners conserve Roundleaf Four-o'clock (Mirabilis rotundifolia)?

  • Denver Botanic Gardens

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    Donor Acknowledgment - In the Works
    Conservation Actions
    Assigned 06/09/17
    • CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

    Conservation Actions

    • 09/19/2020
      • Propagation Research

    Denver Botanic Gardens has performed germination tests and currently grows the species in the Endangered species garden

    • 09/19/2020
      • Living Collection

    Denver Botanic Gardens has performed germination tests and currently grows the species in the Endangered species garden

    Nature Serve Biotics
    • 05/02/2017

    Known only from southcentral Colorado, the species is restricted to a narrowly distributed geological substrate. Although there are 38 documented occurrences only 23 are of good viability, and the total known population size is small. Residential expansion and mining for cement production have destroyed some plants in the past and continue to threaten the species.

    Thomas Grant
    • 01/01/2010

    Residential expansion and Development Mining development (limestone for cement)

    Thomas Grant
    • 01/01/2010

    Few known populations.

    Thomas Grant
    • 01/01/2010

    Kelso's (1995) research on soil fractionation of different elements such as Ca, Mg, and K may explain the distribution of O. rotundifolius. Denver Botanic Gardens has performed germination tests and currently grows the species in the Endangered species garden. Additionally, Denver Botanic Gardens has monitored populations on lands owned by the Portland Cement Company since 1995.

    Thomas Grant
    • 01/01/2010

    Population monitoring by the Denver Botanic Gardens.

    Thomas Grant
    • 01/01/2010

    A management plan needs to be designed and implemented. Research needs include understanding soil processes that may affect O. rotundifolius population dynamics. Aspects of this species reproductive biology and ecology would also be useful for conservation efforts.

    Thomas Grant
    • 01/01/2010

    Seed collection and banking.

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    Nomenclature
    Taxon Mirabilis rotundifolia
    Authority (Greene) Standl.
    Family Nyctaginaceae
    CPC Number 2870
    ITIS 19663
    USDA MIRO2
    Duration Perennial
    Common Names round-leaf four-o'clock | roundleaf four o'clock | roundleaf four-o'clock
    Associated Scientific Names Mirabilis rotundifolia | Allionia rotundifolia | Oxybaphus rotundifolius
    Distribution Colorado endemic. Fremont and Pueblo Cos., in the Arkansas River Valley between Pueblo and Canon City (Kelso et al. 1995).
    State Rank
    State State Rank
    Colorado S2
    Ecological Relationships

    Photos

    Seedlings of Oxybaphus rotundifolius that were germinated in late January of 2002 Photo Credit: Michelle DePrenger-Levin

    Photo Credit: Alexandra Seglias
    Pollinators
    Common Name Name in Text Association Type Source InteractionID
    Bees
    Bees Confirmed Pollinator Link
    Flies
    Flies Confirmed Pollinator Link

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