Oenothera sinuosa
Wavy-leaved gaura
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Oenothera sinuosa (Wavy-leaved gaura) is a non-native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by rhizomatous habit, wavy-dentate leaves, and distinctive stalked fruits.
Wavy-leaved gaura is a naturalized perennial found in the Great Valley, Central Western California, southwestern California, and Mojave Desert regions in light sandy loam cultivation fields at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers that transform from pale pink buds. Growing with branched stems 20 to 60 centimeters tall, it forms large spreading mats with sparse, spreading hairs. Its narrow leaves are 10 to 110 millimeters long, linear to oblanceolate with slightly wavy-toothed edges. The fruit is an erect, linear capsule 4 to 16 millimeters long with narrow wings.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 25 sympatric species; key features are rhizomatous habit, wavy-dentate leaves, and distinctive stalked fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Light sandy loam of cultivation fields
Elevation: < 1000 m
Outside California: native to Oklahoma, Texas, widely naturalized, especially southeastern United States
Bloom period
Oenothera sinuosa blooms Jun-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Camissoniopsis: Oenothera has a 4-lobed cross-shaped stigma; Camissoniopsis has a round stigma and four-angled fruits.; vs Clarkia: Oenothera has 4-lobed stigma and yellow flowers; Clarkia has round stigma and pink/purple flowers.; vs Rosa: Oenothera has 4 petals and capsule fruits; Rosa has 5+ petals and rose hips.; vs Convolvulus: Oenothera has separate petals; Convolvulus has fused trumpet-shaped flowers (morning glory family).; vs Taraxia: Oenothera has robust stems with 4-lobed stigma; Taraxia is stemless with flowers at ground level.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oenothera sinuosa native to California?
No. Oenothera sinuosa is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Oenothera sinuosa bloom?
Oenothera sinuosa blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Oenothera sinuosa belong to?
Oenothera sinuosa is in the Onagraceae family, genus Oenothera.
What habitat does Oenothera sinuosa grow in?
Oenothera sinuosa grows in Light sandy loam of cultivation fields.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.