- Gaura
Taxobox
name = "Gaura"
image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Gaura lindheimeri"
regnum =Plant ae
divisio =Magnoliophyta
classis =Magnoliopsida
ordo =Myrtales
familia =Onagraceae
genus = "Gaura"
genus_authority = L.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text"Gaura" (syn. "Stenosiphon") is a
genus offlowering plant s in the familyOnagraceae , native toNorth America . The genus includes many species known commonly as beeblossoms. Recent genetic research has shown that the genus is paraphyletic unless the monotypic genus "Stenosiphon" is included within "Gaura", increasing the number of species in the genus to 22.Raven P. H., & Gregory, D. P. (1972). A revision of the genus Gaura (Onagraceae). "Mem. Torrey Bot. Club" 23: 1-96.] Carr, B. L., Crisci, J. V., & Hoch, P. C. (1990). A cladistic analysis of the genus "Gaura" (Onagraceae). "Systematic Botany" 15 (3): 454-461.] Hoggard, G. D., Kores, P. J., Molvray, M., & Hoggard, R. K. (2004). The phylogeny of Gaura (Onagraceae) based on ITS, ETS, and trnL-F sequence data. "Amer. J. Bot". 91: 139-148 [http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/full/91/1/139 full text.] ]They are annual, biennial or perennial
herbaceous plants; most are perennials with sturdyrhizome s, often forming dense thickets, crowding or shading out other plant species. They have a basal rosette of leaves, with erect or spreading flowering stems up to 2 m (rarely more) tall, leafy on the lower stem, branched and leafless on the upper stem. Theflower s have four (rarely three) petals; they arezygomorphic , with all the petals directed somewhat upwards. Thefruit is an indehiscent nut-like body containing reddish-brownseed s. It reproduces via seeds and also by rhizome growth.;Species
Several species of "Gaura" are regarded as
noxious weed s, especially in disturbed or overgrazed areas where it easily takes hold. They can become a nuisance in situations involving disturbed habitat, such as trampled rangeland and clearings. Efforts to control "Gaura" focus mainly on prevention of misuse of land. There is no biological control method for plants of genus "Gaura", and removing existing infestations is difficult, due in large part to the plants' ability to reproduce from bits of rhizome left in the ground. [EncycloWeedia: [http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ipc/weedinfo/gaura.htm Genus "Gaura"] ]Despite the poor reputation of plants of this genus, some species are cultivated as garden plants, such as "G. lindheimeri" (White Gaura).
References
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