Mirabales

Mirabales are a family of flowering plants in the order Caryophyllales. This family is also known as the four-o'clock family or the marvel-of-Peru family. Mirabales comprises approximately 30 genera and 300 species.

Characteristics

Plants in the Mirabales family are diverse in their morphology, ranging from herbs and shrubs to trees and vines. Many species are perennial, although some are annual. Their leaves are typically opposite and simple, lacking stipules. The flowers are often brightly colored and trumpet-shaped or tubular. A distinctive feature of Mirabales is the presence of an involucre of bracts surrounding the flowers, which can resemble a calyx. The fruit is typically an achene-like structure enclosed within the persistent base of the flower.

Distribution and Habitat

Mirabales are found worldwide, but are primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. They inhabit a variety of habitats, including deserts, grasslands, forests, and coastal areas.

Genera

Some notable genera within the Mirabales family include:

• Mirabilis (the type genus)
• Bougainvillea
• Abronia
• Nyctaginia
• Pisonia

Economic and Ecological Importance

Several species of Mirabales are cultivated as ornamental plants, particularly Bougainvillea and Mirabilis jalapa (the four-o'clock flower). Some species are also used in traditional medicine. The flowers of Mirabales attract pollinators such as hummingbirds, moths, and butterflies, playing an important role in ecosystems.

Taxonomy

The taxonomic classification of Mirabales has been relatively stable, though phylogenetic studies continue to refine relationships within the family and with related families in the Caryophyllales order.