MIRABILIS, MARVEL OF PERU, in botany, a genus of the pentandria monogynia class. The corolla is funnel shaped; the calix is below the fruit; and the nectarium is globular, including the germin. There are three species, all natives of America.
Tournefort and Linnaeus will have the root of this plant to be the jalap of the shops; but Houston declares, that jalap is the root of a species of convolvulus.