Plant Data

Names and Taxonomy

  • Common Names: Scarlet Bee Blossom, Scarlet Gaura
  • Synonyms: Oenothera suffrutescens
  • Family: Onagraceae (Evening Primrose)
  • Genus Information:

Habit and Size

  • Duration: perennial
  • Habit: forb
  • Shape: upright
  • Size: up to 3 feet (1 m)
  • Stem: smooth

Leaves

  • Color: green
  • Shape: linear
  • Edge: smooth
  • Arrangement:
  • Leaf Retention:

Flowers and Fruit

  • Sex: monoecious
  • Flower Color: white, red, pink
  • Flower Size:
  • Number of Petals: 4
  • Bloom: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
  • Fruit: woody capsule under a centimeter long

Habitat and Growing Conditions

  • Water Use: low
  • Light: full sun
  • Soil: prefers a limestone substrate, sand/gravel
  • Habitat: dry flats and slopes, plains, Joshua-tree and pinyon/juniper communities

Distribution

  • Distribution: Scarlet Beeblossom is found throughout most of North America and it is also native to northern and central Mexico and perhaps beyond
  • Seen: Spring Mountains, NV
  • Elevation: 2000-8000 ft (800-2700 m)

Photographs

Scarlet Bee Blossom (Oenothera suffrutescens)

Spring Mountain Pass, Las Vegas (September 12)

Scarlet Bee Blossom (Oenothera suffrutescens)

Spring Mountain Pass, Las Vegas (September 12)

Scarlet Bee Blossom (Oenothera suffrutescens)

Spring Mountain Pass, Las Vegas (September 12)

Scarlet Bee Blossom (Oenothera suffrutescens)

Red Rock Canyon

Scarlet Bee Blossom (Oenothera suffrutescens)

Red Rock Canyon