Snowball sand verbena, Sweet sand-verbena
Abronia fragrans

Family: Nyctaginaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

There are 33 Abronia species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on dry sandy soils. It needs full sunlight. It needs a warm sheltered position.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The roots are cooked, dried and ground into a powder then mixed with corn.

Edible parts

Root

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water before sowing. Seedlings need good ventilation to avoid damping off. Cuttings can be used.

Its other names

Local names

Fragrant verbena, Fragrant white abronia

Synonyms

Abronia speciosa Buckley; and others