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Uncle Tom’s Cabin vocabulary
5 plants, trees, botany terms
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four o'clock flower
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synonyms: Mirabilis jalapa, marvel of Peru ???
tags: [botany]
► definition
Definition:the most commonly grown ornamental species of Mirabilis plant, and is available in a range of colours. Mirabilis in Latin means wonderful and Jalapa (or Xalapa) is the state capital of Veracruz in México. Mirabilis jalapa was cultivated by the Aztecs for medicinal and ornamental purposes.The flowers usually open from late afternoon or at dusk (namely between 4 and 8 o'clock), giving rise to one of its common names. Flowers then produce a strong, sweet-smelling fragrance throughout the night, then close for good in the morning. New flowers open the following day. It arrived in Europe in 1525. Today, it is common in many tropical regions and is also valued in Europe as a (not hardy) ornamental plant.text from Wikipedia, licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike
photo: By Khalid Mahmood, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24588762
► uses
Uses:
My lunch was in my mouth a second time and I went outside and relieved myself on the bed of four-o'clocks.
Maya Angelou. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969)
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Here, also, in summer, various brilliant annuals, such as marigolds, petunias, four-o’clocks, found an indulgent corner in which to unfold their splendors, and were the delight and pride of Aunt Chloe’s heart.
Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin
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