BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report
Oenothera suffrutescens
scarlet gaura
| Scientific Name: | Oenothera suffrutescens |
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| Scientific Name Synonyms: |
Gaura coccinea
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| English Name: | scarlet gaura |
| Provincial Status Summary | |
| Status: | SU |
| Date Status Assigned: | April 30, 2025 |
| Date Last Reviewed: | April 30, 2025 |
| Reasons: | There are currently 5 known occurrences of Oenothera suffrutescens in British Columbia, 3 of which are considered extant. The range extent is 21,703 square kilometres and the area of occupancy is 12 square kilometres. |
| Range | |
| Range Extent: | F = 20,000-200,000 square km |
| Range Extent Comments: | The range extent for Oenothera suffrutescens, calculated using a convex hull, is 21,703 square kilometres; known only from disjunct locations at Kamloops, Windermere, Wardner, Marysville (historical) and Crowsnest Pass (historical). |
| Area of Occupancy (km2): | CD = 3-25 |
| Area of Occupancy Comments: | The area of occupancy, using a 2km x 2km grid cell for extant occurrences, is 12 square kilometres. |
| Occurrences & Population | |
| Number of Occurrences: | AB = 1 - 20 |
| Comments: | There are currently 5 known occurrences of Oenothera suffrutescens in British Columbia, 3 of which are considered extant. |
| Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: | B = 1 - 3 |
| Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Population Size: | CD = 250 - 2,500 individuals |
| Comments: | The number of plants has not been reported from all sites, but several hundred plants were reported from the Lac du Bois grasslands near Kamloops. |
| Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected) | |
| Degree of Threat: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Comments: | This species occurs in overgrazed rangeland at one occurrence (Lac Du Bois) though it is likely the case in all locations. At the Lac du Bois occurrence, the range has been rehabilitated via an 18-month grazing schedule so that impacts of cattle are lessened. The condition of the habitat has apparently improved, however, grazing prevents the natural succession to climax vegetation and the disturbance may be essential to the continued survival of this species (R. Tucker pers. comm. 2011). If the management regime changes, the species persistence at this site could be affected. |
| Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences) | |
| Short-Term Trend: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Long-Term Trend: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Other Factors | |
| Intrinsic Vulnerability: | C=Not intrinsically vulnerable |
| Environmental Specificity: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Other Rank Considerations: | |
| Information Gaps | |
| Research Needs: | |
| Inventory Needs: | |
| Stewardship | |
| Protection: | |
| Management: | |
| Version | |
| Author: | Penny, J and R. Batten |
| Date: | December 29, 2021 |
| References | |
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Batten, R. 2018. Vascular plant GeoCAT range extent and index of AOO maps supporting status assessment 2017_18 for British Columbia Conservation Data Centre. March 2018. Victoria, BC. 450 pp.
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British Columbia Conservation Data Centre. Botany Program. 2000. Database containing records of rare plant collections and observations in the province of British Columbia.
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Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for information on how the CDC determines conservation status ranks. For global conservation status reports and ranks, please visit the NatureServe website http://www.natureserve.org/.
Suggested Citation:
B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2021. Conservation Status Report: Oenothera suffrutescens. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 13, 2026).