Gaura lindheimeri

Taxobox
name = "Gaura lindheimeri"

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image_width = 240px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Myrtales
familia = Onagraceae
genus = "Gaura"
species = "G. lindheimeri"
binomial = "Gaura lindheimeri"
binomial_authority = Engelm. & A.Gray

"Gaura lindheimeri" (Lindheimer's Beeblossom, White Gaura, Pink Gaura, Lindheimer's Clockweed) is a species of "Gaura" native to southern Louisiana and Texas.Germplasm Resources Information Network: [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?316694 "Gaura parviflora"] ] USDA Plants Profile: [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=GALI2 "Gaura parviflora"] ]

It is a perennial herbaceous plant growing to 50–150 cm tall, with densely clustered branched stems growing from an underground rhizome. The leaves are finely hairy, lanceolate, 1–9 cm long and 1–13 mm broad, with a coarsely toothed margin. The flowers are produced on a 10–80 cm long inflorescence; they are pink or white, 2–3 cm diameter, with four petals 10–15 mm long and long hairlike stamens, and are produced from the beginning of spring until the first frost.Munz, P. A. (1938). Studies in Onagraceae XI. A Revision of the Genus Gaura. "Bull. Torrey Bot. Club" 65: 105-122, 211-228.] Huxley, A., ed. (1992). "New RHS Dictionary of Gardening". Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.] Article in German wikipedia Prachtkerze]

Cultivation and uses

"Gaura lindheimeri" is commonly grown as an ornamental plant. Several cultivars have been selected for varying flower color, from nearly pure white (e.g. 'Whirling Butterflies') to darker pink (e.g. 'Cherry Brandy', 'Siskiyou Pink'); in some, the petals are white at dawn then turning pink before falling off at dusk. It is used in either garden beds or pots for accent colour and delicate texture. It grows best in full sun and can survive lengthy periods of drought.

It is naturalized in Australia.

References