|
|
 Flowers Willow Dells TrSue Smith |  Fruit Willow Dells TrSue Smith |  Leaves Willow Dells TrSue Smith |  Plant - summer Willow Dells TrSue Smith | | |
|
Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Perennial
General Desc:
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.
Identification notes: 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.
Height:
2 feet
Habitat Description: Limestone, sand and clay soils. Found along roadsides, fields, plains and in pine and juniper woodlands.
Plant Communities:
Desert Scrub, Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands, Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Montane Conifer Forest, Disturbed Areas
Elevation: 2000 - 8000 feet
Color:
White to pink to red
Shape:
Irregular in elongated clusters
Tubular:
N
Flowering Period:
Apr - Sep
Description:
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.
Leaf Color:
Grayish-green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Narrow
Leaf Margin:
Smooth
Leaf Attachment:
Alternate
Leaves Clasp:
N
Hairs:
Leaves and stems
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
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.
Fruit Type: Capsule
Fruit Notes: Grooved, diamond-shaped seed capsule to 1/2 inch long.
|
|
