Family – Onagraceae
Stems:
Lower stem.
Upper stem.
Leaves:
Inflorescence:
N/A
Flowers:
Calyx.
Fruit.
Flowering – June – November.
Habitat – Sandhills, pine flatwoods, bogs.
Origin – Native to North America.
Other information – This species can be found scattered throughout Alabama. The plant can be identified by its pubescent stems (which are frequently red), sinuate to dentate leaves, small, white flowers, and ovoid fruits. The fruits are on pedicels 2-6mm long. The pedicels are longer than the body of the fruit. Another species, G. sinuata Nutt. ex Ser., is similar but has larger flowers and more narrow fruits. This latter species is less common in Alabama.
The genus name Gaura derives from the Greek “gaur(o)” meaning “proud, majestic, superb” and is not very fitiing of most of the species.
The species epithet filipes derives from the Latin “fil(i)” meaning “a thread” referring to the stalks of the fruits (compared to the fruits of other species which are sessile or have thick stalks).
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken at Fort Benning, GA., 10-12-05.