Onagraceae
Evening Primrose Family
Gaura biennis L.
Gaura filiformis Small
- Stem: biennial; 3’ to 4’ tall; branching from the middle; downy-hairy.
- Leaves: alternate; oval with long tapering bases and pointed tips; 1 1/2” by 7/16”; sessile; hairy above and below.
- Inflorescence: spikes at ends of branches; with tiny leaves in the inflorescence; flowering from bottom to top with only a few flowers open at one time.
- Flowers: petals white to red, 3/8” long on a 3/16” long floral tube above a hairy 1/8” ovary; sepals 3/8” long, curved backward, hairy; flowering from mid-June to mid-September.
- Fruits: spindle-shaped capsule, with four prominent angles, 5/16” long, hairy; fruiting begins in early July.
- Habitat: infrequent on disturbed prairies and open sites, often in low-lying sandy soil.
- Notes: A highly variable species with wide ranges in plant height, leaf size, flower size, and flowering time.
- Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library
- Vascular Plants of Iowa
Can be found in these counties:
