XGaura coccinea - Scarlet GauraX
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Scarlet Gaura -or- Scarlet beeblossom -or- Linda Tarde (Gaura coccinea), family Onagraceae (Willowherb)
Also know in latin as Oenothera suffrutescens. This distinctive looking flower immediately captivated us with it's unusual conformation. Mark spotted it, nicely done, since it was not one of your larger showy flowers. In the arid landscape of it's surroundings, it appeared delicate and almost wistful looking. Lovely! This perennial is native to greater North America. WIKIPEDIA has this on the plant: 'Gaura coccinea is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by several common names, including scarlet beeblossom, scarlet gaura, and linda tarde. It is native to much of North America, especially the western and central sections. It can be found in many habitats, and is occasionally an urban weed. This is a perennial herb growing from a woody base and heavy roots. The stems may reach anywhere from 10 centimeters in height to over a meter and sprawling, and they are often covered in small, stiff hairs. The thin to thick clumps of stems are covered in linear to somewhat oval-shaped leaves one to seven centimeters long. Atop the stems are spike inflorescences of several flowers each. The flower has four long, stiff sepals which open and fall away from the flower to lie reflexed toward the stem. There are four spoon-shaped petals which are white to yellowish and may turn pink with age. Each flower has eight long stamens with large red, pink, or yellowish anthers arranged around a long stigma. The fruit is a woody capsule under a centimeter long.' End quote.
USES: Per Native American Ethnobotany are the following uses by native americans: Navajo, Ramah - Cold infusion given to settle child's stomach after vomiting. Plant used as "life medicine," especially for serious internal injury. Lakota - Plant chewed and rubbed on hands to catch horses.
Flower -
Plant location: Found on a hike in the Pawnee National Grasslands - Pawnee Butte, Trail #840 on May 26, 2008. The species is widespread throughout the United States. See the USDA distribution map here.
Pawnee Butte was an excellent hike for sighting wildflowers!! We identified no less than TWENTY-FIVE new species of wildflowers on this hike. Having just moved to Colorado, this was a wonderful introduction to the Plains wildflowers of Colorado. We highly recommend this hike, which is also known for it's raptor populations. Plant -
Bloom period: Early spring through summer. Foliage -
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