GAURAS - 221 
up takes away some of the pollen on the under-side of its body, and on 
visiting another flower this portion of its body will be drawn over the - 
stigma, and so the plant will be fertilised. 
GAURAS 
Natural Order ONAGRARIEH. Genus Gaura 
Gaura (from the Greek gawros, proud or superb). A genus of about 
twenty annual or perennial herbs or shrubs with simple, alternate 
leaves varying in outline. The flowers agree in general with @nothera, 
but the calyx-tube is three- or four-angled, the petals more slender, white 
or rosy, turning red when fading; the fruit a hard woody nut with 
three or four prominent angles, and usually four-celled. As a rule the 
petals have a tendency to take the same upward direction; and the 
flower-cluster is a long terminal spike-like raceme. The species are 
natives of the warmer portions of North America. 
Only one of the Gauras may be said to be a cultivated 
plant, and that we fear is but slightly known, and seldom 
seen. This is the species figured in Plate 108. 
GAURA BIENNIS (biennial). Stems 4 to 6 feet high. Leaves oblong- 
lance-shaped, slightly toothed. Flowers irregular; sepals purple tipped ; 
petals white, then reddish, irregularly arranged; August to October. 
Introduced from North America (1762). 
G. LINDHEIMERI (Lindheimer’s). Stems slender, branching, 4 feet 
igh. Leaves narrow-lance-shaped. Flowers white, or purple tinged ; 
June to September. Perennial. Native of Texas (1850). 
: Gauras are propagated by means of seed sown early in 
spring, out of doors, and in a light soil. The seedlings 
should be pricked into their flowering quarters as soon as they are large 
enough to handle. During hard weather in winter they will need some 
protection in the shape of a movable frame, or dry fern and bushes ; 
or they may be taken up in autumn, potted and kept in a cool house 
until April or May. Gauras may be usefully employed in beds or 
Principal Species. 
Cultivation. 
ie _ baskets where lightness of effect is wanted to relieve heavier subjects. 
_ Description of Gaura Lindheimeri is represented by the terminal 
| Plate108. = portion of two flowering shoots, natural size. The ad- 
ditional figures are—1, a separate flower; 2, a section of the 
Same. 
IlL—15 
