The cultural legend of Mirabilis jalapa

Other names for Mirabilis jalapa

Mirabilis jalapa is also called grass jasmine, jasmine night flower, rouge flower, landmine flower, night beauty, official pink flower, tide flower, soup flower, pink bean flower, bath flower, and evening camellia.

The origin of the name of Mirabilis jalapa

Mirabilis jalapa. Although the flowers of Mirabilis jalapa do not look like jasmine, it has a fragrance, very similar to jasmine, and the flowers are purple-red, hence the name Mirabilis jalapa.

Tuberose, Mirabilis jalapa, usually blooms in the evening and lasts until the early morning, and the fragrance is pervasive, hence the name "tube-blooming jasmine".

Rouge flower, the reason why Mirabilis jalapa is called rouge flower is because in the past, girls liked to squeeze the juice of Mirabilis jalapa flowers and apply it on their lips as rouge, thus the rouge flower got its beautiful name.

Cooking flower, bathing flower. The reason why Mirabilis jalapa is also called cooking flower and bathing flower is because it blooms in the evening, which is exactly the time when people in rural areas cook and women help their children take a bath, so it is called cooking flower or bathing flower. There is a legend that the Mirabilis jalapa was created from a playful child who got lost. The god told the children that when they see the Mirabilis jalapa flowers blooming, it means that it is getting dark and they should go home quickly.

Landmine flower, Mirabilis jalapa is called landmine flower mainly because of the shape of its fruit, a small round ball, black in color, and looks bumpy, just like a small black landmine. The name "landmine flower" is really very vivid.

White powder flower, the name white powder flower is mainly because of the seeds of Mirabilis jalapa, the seeds contain white embryo, when the seeds dry they will become white powder, which can be used for facial mask.

Mirabilis jalapa in literature

Mirabilis jalapa actually often appears in literary works. In "Dream of Red Mansions", there are plots describing Mirabilis jalapa. Guo Moruo also has poems describing Mirabilis jalapa. Mirabilis jalapa can also be seen in other essays and articles.