Gaura
Oenothera lindheimeri
Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
Related
Basic Details
NameGaura
DescriptionIt is a perennial flowering plant with delicate, airy flowers that appear to dance in the wind. It's known for its long blooming period, often lasting from summer into fall. The flowers, which can be white, pink, or white with a pink tinge, have a butterfly-like appearance and attract pollinators like bees
FamilyOnagraceae
GenusOenothera
TribeEpilobieae
Floral Formula & Features
Floral Formula⨁ ⚥ K(4) C(4) A8 G(4)
This formula indicates that the flowers are radially symmetrical (⨁), bisexual (⚥), have 4 sepals (K(4)), 4 petals (C(4)), 8 stamens (A8), and a 4-locular ovary (G(4))
Features
- Gaura gets its name from the Greek word 'gaûros' which means 'superb' or 'grand'
- Delicate, wand-like flower spikes that produce numerous small, four-petaled flowers. The flowers typically open in a sequence along the stem, with pink buds opening to white and then fading back to pink
- It is an annual, biennial or perennial herbaceous plants
- Grow to a height of 2 to 5 feet and with lifespan of 3 - 4 years
- Native to southeastern Texas, Louisiana, Mexico and found in North America
- Thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, but they can also tolerate some shade
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificOenothera lindheimeri
English (Alternate)Bee Blossom, Lindheimer's beeblossom, White gaura, Pink gaura, Lindheimer's clockweed, Indian feather, Whirling butterflies
Hindiगौरा (Gaura), व्हाइट गौरा (White Gaura), पिंक गौरा (Pink Gaura)
Tamilகாசி தும்பை (Kasi Thumbai), கோவில் கண்டால் (Kovil Kandaal)
Teluguతెలుపు చిలుక పువ్వు (chiluka puvvu), గౌర పువ్వు (Gaura puvvu), లైనర్ బీస్ పువ్వు (Lainer bees puvvu)
Malayalamനല്ല മാണി (Nalla Maani)
Kannadaಕಾಡು ಕರಿಬೇವು (Kaadu Karibevu), ಮಧುಕಾಮಿನಿ (Madhu Kamini)
Sanskritगौरी (gaurī), गौर (gaura), मधुमक्षिका पुष्पा (madhumakṣikā puṣpā)
Bengaliগাউরা ফুল (Gaura Ful), ডাহুক ফুল (Dahuk Phul)
FrenchGaura, Gaura de Lindheimer, Gaura à fleurs longues
RussianГаура (Gaura), Белокрыльник Линдгеймера (Belokrylnik Lindgeymera)
Spanishgaura de Lindheimer, hierba de la mariposa
GermanWhite Gaura, Lindheimer's Beeblossom, Prachtkerze, Präriekerze
What is Floral Formula?
A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.
Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2
This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.
Formula Sequence
- Bract: Br or Ebr
- Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
- Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
- Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
- Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
- Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
- Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
- Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)
Symbol Meanings
- Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
- Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
- Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
- Underline: Superior ovary position
- Overline: Inferior ovary position
- ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)
Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.