Scientific Family
Onagraceae
Synonyms
G. coccinea var. arizonica, G. coccinea var. epilobioides, G. coccinea var. typica, G. odorata, G. glabra, Oenothera suffrutescens
Other common names
scarlet gaura
scarlet evening-primrose
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
2 feet
Riparian
No
The delicate, airy flowers start out almost white in the evening when they first open, attracting moths that pollinate them at night. The flowers turn pink by morning, deepening to red by afternoon. Gaura can form colonies by underground stems.
Woody base, thick taproot; stems clumped, branching above or below the ground; leaves alternate narrowly tapering, narrowly elliptic; flowers up to 1/2 inch long, white to pink to red; fruit widest above the middle, tapering to a cylindric base.
Habitat
Limestone, sand and clay soils. Found along roadsides, fields, plains and in pine and juniper woodlands.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
2000
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
Flowers to 1/2 inch wide bloom on arching spikes to 12 inches long. Flowers at the base of the spike open first. Irregular flowers, 4-petaled, dangling red-tipped anthers and 4 downward-curving pinkish-green sepals.
Flower color
White to pink to red
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Grayish-green leaves are narrow to 3 inches long. They have pointed tips and the edges can be toothed or smooth. The stems and leaves may or may not be covered with hairs.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Grooved, diamond-shaped seed capsule to 1/2 inch long.
Fruit type
Capsule