Oenothera curtiflora
(Velvetweed)
Oenothera curtiflora, Hewlett Gulch Trail, Poudre Canyon, Larimer Co. 7960
Oenothera curtiflora, Hewlett Gulch Trail, Poudre Canyon, Larimer Co. 7950
Oenothera curtiflora, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9543
Oenothera curtiflora, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9523
Oenothera curtiflora, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9538
Oenothera curtiflora, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9532
| Scientific Name | Oenothera curtiflora (Gaura parviflora) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | OECU2 |
| Common Name | Velvetweed, Velvet Butterfly-weed | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 836004 |
| Family | Onagraceae (Evening Primrose) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Life zones and habitat: Plains and foothills (3500 to 7500 ft.); various soil types; dry rocky hillsides, pastures, old fields, open woodlands, waste areas, roadsides and streamsides. Plant: Erect, annual up 6-1/2 ft tall; usually single-stemmed and unbranched below inflorescence; stems densely glandular-hairy. Leaves: Alternate, ovate-lanceolate, 1 to 5 inches long, 1/4 to 1-3/4 inches wide, sessile; pubescent hairs; wavy margins and tips tapering to points. Inflorescence: Densely-flowered terminal spike 2 to 20 inches long, which may droop downward; small flowers with hairy lanceolate to linear bracts up to 1/4 inch long; 4 sepals, smooth or minutely pubescent, bent abruptly downward; 4 short, pink to rose petals 1/8-inch long; 8 stamens, anthers yellow or reddish; stigma with 4 short, yellowish lobes. Bloom Period: March to August. References: Gaura parviflora in "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston and Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses; O. curtifolia in "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield; and O. curtiflora in SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains