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Native Plant Database

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Gaura mollis (Lizard-tail)
Flaigg, Norman G.

Gaura mollis James

Lizard-tail, Velvetweed, Velvet-leaf Gaura, Willow Gaura

Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family)

Synonyms: Gaura parviflora

USDA Symbol: gamo5

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The genus Gaura is composed of 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.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MN , MO , MS , MT , ND , NE , NM , NV , OH , OK , OR , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , WA , WY
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0002 Collected April 12, 1990 in Bexar County by Judith C. Berry
NPSOT 0394 Collected May 27, 1993 in Comal County by Mary Beth White

Bibliography

Bibref 1211 - Folk Medicine: The Art and the Science (1985) Richard P. Steiner

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Gaura mollis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Gaura mollis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Gaura mollis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-08-17
Research By: TWC Staff

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