Equio

Four o'clock flower

Mirabilis jalapa

Horse

Low

Remove access and monitor the horse; call at the first sign. Ingestion of numerous black seeds or root tubers (in case of uprooting).

Monitorwhat to do
Yestoxic in hay

Equio informs, it does not diagnose. When in doubt, call your vet.

What to do now

Antidote
No specific antidote. Symptomatic treatment.
Time to signs
A few hours to 24 hours
Prognosis
Excellent. Symptoms resolve spontaneously and quickly.
  1. Remove the source of intoxication.
  2. Monitor for digestive signs.
  3. Administer digestive protectants if diarrhea persists for more than 48 hours.

Its ID card

Height
0.3 m – 1 m
Flowering
Summer to autumn (June to October).
Toxic parts
The large black seeds (resembling peppercorns) and the fleshy black root (resembling a large black radish).
Toxin
Alkaloids (Trigonelline) and purgative resins.
Habitat
Flower beds, rock gardens, south-facing walls.
Soil indicator
Rich, fertile, sunny garden soils.
Regions
Southern Europe, Gardens throughout Europe (frost-sensitive)
In hay
Yes — stays toxic once dried
Palatability
Low, plant is often ignored. Risk mainly during autumn garden cleanup.

When the risk rises

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Autumn (black seeds fall to the ground in mass).

Spotting it in the field

Do not confuse with

Morning glory/Bindweed (which is a climber, whereas Four o'clock flower is bushy). — smell : plant is generally odorless.

  • Herbaceous clump reaching up to 1 meter.
  • Tubular, small funnel-shaped flowers, often vibrant (magenta, yellow, white, sometimes variegated).
  • Spherical, black, and very hard seeds.
  • Large, fleshy black tuberous roots.

Signs to watch for

Acute toxicity.

Dose : Not determined, but ingestion of large quantities of seeds or roots is necessary for severe effects in horses.

  • Moderate colic
  • Transient diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Transient apathy
  • Possible redness or mild irritation if sap touches a wound

Who is affected

Other species : Toxic (digestive upset) for dogs and cats.

In pregnant mares : no data, principle of precaution (alkaloids).

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Four o'clock flower : equine care and management documented with Equio app. Documentation équine avec Equio, l'application d'aide à la décision pour les chevaux.

Getting rid of it

Method : Uproot the entire plant, including the roots, preferably before seed production. Wear gloves. Destroy uprooted parts by burning or deep burial.

  • Identify and remove the plant from pastures and areas accessible to horses.
  • Be vigilant during autumn garden cleanup, especially if root remains are present.
  • Avoid composting plant parts in areas where compost might be used near horses.

Frequently asked questions

Can Equio identify Four o'clock flower from a photo?

It can help organize visual clues, but plant identification must remain cautious when horse health is at stake.

Is Four o'clock flower dangerous in hay?

This entry flags hay vigilance. Isolate suspicious forage and ask for professional advice if exposure is possible.

Veterinary priority

This page is informational. If ingestion is likely, if signs appear, or if the horse is fragile, contact a veterinarian immediately.

Related pages

Four o'clock flower and foal and young horseProfile-specific horse risk page.Four o'clock flower and pregnant mareProfile-specific horse risk page.Four o'clock flower and lactating mareProfile-specific horse risk page.Four o'clock flower and non-pregnant mareProfile-specific horse risk page.Four o'clock flower and senior horseProfile-specific horse risk page.Four o'clock flower and horse in recoveryProfile-specific horse risk page.Poisonous plants for horsesEnglish Equio plant catalogue and risk pages.Sensitive profilesFoals, pregnancy, lactation, senior horses and recovery.Photo methodHow to document a plant without relying on one image only.Equio AppScan feed, plants and care products — keep your horse's history.Equio FAQAnswers about scans, profiles, subscriptions and AI limits.
What to do? The Equio app