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Brundage, Stephanie

Oenothera�gaura

Oenothera�gaura�W.L. Wagner & Hoch

Biennial Beeblossom, Biennial Gaura

Onagraceae (Evening Primrose Family)

Synonym(s): Gaura biennis

USDA Symbol: OEGA

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Long-tubed white flowers, turning pink with age, bloom 2 or 3 at a time in clusters on long, wand-like spikes branching from the top portion of this 2-6 ft. biennial.

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.

From the Image Gallery

19 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Biennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AL , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , MI , MN , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , PA , SC , TN , VA , WI , WV
Canada: ON , QC
Native Distribution: Que. to s.e. MN, s. to GA & LA
Native Habitat: Prairies; open woods; stream banks

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil Description: Moist to dry soils

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Grow from seed.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-21
Research By: TWC Staff

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