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Smith, R.W.

Oenothera simulans

Oenothera simulans (Small) W.L. Wagner & Hoch

Southern Beeblossom, Southern Gaura, Morning Honeysuckle, Morning Gaura

Onagraceae (Evening Primrose Family)

Synonym(s): Gaura angustifolia, Gaura eatonii, Gaura simulans

USDA Symbol: OESI

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Small, pink or white flowers in wand-like, branched clusters at ends of rather straggly branches. The rather inconspicuous flowers, which open near sunset and fade the next day, are at first white but soon turn pink. The fruit is distinctive in that it does not split open when mature.

Species such as this one, formerly placed in the genus Gaura, are typically rather weedy plants, with leaves borne singly on the stems and frequently in a basal rosette. The flowers are in spikes or racemes, or are branching. They open in the evening. The 4 petals are on the upper side of the flower, giving it a slightly bilateral symmetry. There are normally 8 prominent stamens and 1 pistil; these are on the lower side. The stamens have reddish-brown anthers. The genus is easily recognized, but the species are sometimes difficult, due partly to a great deal of hybridization.

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