Oenothera curtiflora

(Velvetweed)

_DSC1056%20copy

Oenothera curtiflora, Hewlett Gulch Trail, Poudre Canyon, Larimer Co. 7960

_DSC1056%20copy

Oenothera curtiflora, Hewlett Gulch Trail, Poudre Canyon, Larimer Co. 7950

_DSC1056%20copy

Oenothera curtiflora, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9543

_DSC1056%20copy

Oenothera curtiflora, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9523

_DSC1056%20copy

Oenothera curtiflora, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9538

_DSC1056%20copy

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
Click Here
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