Gulbakshi flower - Twin flower - four o clock flower- Mirabis jalapa

Last time I had got a bunch of gulbakshi flowers from alibag .I had planted them in my kitchen garden .Soon the bud germinated & started growing  & within 3 weeks I saw beautiful gulbakshi flower blooming in my bangalore gallery.

Coming back  to gulbakshi plant --- few information from wiki

Mirabilis jalapa (The four o'clock flower or marvel of Peru) is the most commonly grown ornamental species of Mirabilis, and is available in a range of colours. Mirabilis in Latin means wonderful and Jalapa is a not uncommon placename in Central and North America. Mirabilis jalapa is said to have been exported from the Peruvian Andes in 1540.

 curious aspect of this plant is that flowers of different colors can be found simultaneously on the same plant.

Different color variation in the flower and different color flowers in same plant.
Variegated flower on a four o'clock plant.Naturally occurring color variation on four o'clock flowers.




Additionally, an individual flower can be splashed with different colors. Another interesting point is a color-changing phenomenon. For example, in the yellow variety, as the plant matures, it can display flowers that gradually change to a dark pink color. Similarly white flowers can change to light violet.A four o'clock plant in full bloom.





The flowers usually open from late afternoon onwards, then producing a strong, sweet-smelling fragrance, hence the first of its common names. 






VARIOUS NAMES
 
The flowers usually open from late afternoon onwards, then producing a strong, sweet-smelling fragrance, hence the first of its common names. In Pakistan it is called "Gul Abas" (Urdu: گل عباس‎). In Sri Lanka it is called "Hendirikka". In Southern India it is called "Anthi Mandhaarai" (Tamil: அந்தி மந்தாரை). In Andhra Pradesh it is called "Chandrakantha"(Telugu: చ౦దరకా౦త). In Kerala it is called 'Naalumani poovu' (Malayalam: നാലുമണിപ്പൂ, പതിറ്റടിമുല്ല). In Maharashtra it is called "Gulabakshi" (Marathi: गुलबक्षी). In Assamese it is called 'Godhuli Gopal', 'godhuli' meaning evening. In Bengali it is called "sandhyamaloti" (সন্ধ্যামালতি).In Maithili it is called "sanjhaa phool" as it blooms in evening . In Oriya it is called 'Rangani'. In China it is called the "shower flower" (Chinese: 洗澡花; pinyin: xǐzǎo huā) or "rice boiling flower" (simplified Chinese: 煮饭花; traditional Chinese: 煮飯花; pinyin: zhǔfàn huā) because it is in bloom at the time of these activities. In Hong Kong it is known as "purple jasmine" (紫茉莉). The Turkish name is "akşam sefası", which means "evening pleasure"

 


The plant does best in full sun. It grows to approximately 0.9 m in height. The single-seeded fruits are spherical, wrinkled and black upon maturity (see picture), having started out greenish-yellow. The plant will self-seed, often spreading rapidly if left unchecked in a garden.


Uses

The flowers are used in food colouring.
An edible crimson dye is obtained from the flowers to colour cakes and jellies.

In herbal medicine, parts of the plant may be used as a diuretic, purgative, and for vulnerary (wound healing) purposes. The root is believed an aphrodisiac as well as diuretic and purgative. It is used in the treatment of dropsy.

The leaves are used to reduce inflammation. A decoction of them (mashing and boiling) is used to treat abscesses. Leaf juice may be used to treat wounds.

Powdered, the seed of some varieities is used as a cosmetic and a dye.