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Snowball Sand Verbena

Abronia fragrans

The Snowball Sand Verbena is a pretty flower with bright white blooms that look like little snowballs! It grows in sandy areas and loves the sunshine, making it a cheerful sight in nature.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Snowball Sand Verbena has dense, globe-shaped clusters of tiny, fragrant white to pinkish-white flowers. Its sprawling stems and fleshy green leaves help it stand out in sandy, arid environments, making the flower clusters truly resemble miniature snowballs.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyNyctaginaceaeGenusAbronia
Snowball Sand Verbena
aromatic trait badgeflowering trait badgecluster_flower trait badgespring_blooming trait badge
Snowball Sand Verbena

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Even though it loves sand, it can be found high up in mountains, sometimes over 8,000 feet!

Its taproots can be eaten and taste a bit like sweet potatoes!

Some people call it 'Sweet Sand Verbena' because of its lovely evening fragrance.

The unique seed pods are shaped like tiny, hard 'wings' that help them tumble and spread in the wind.

Special abilities

Ability

Desert Drinker

Snowball Sand Verbena has a deep taproot that can reach far down into the soil to find precious water, helping it survive in dry lands.

Ability

Fragrant Beacon

This plant releases a sweet, strong scent at night, acting like a beacon to attract nocturnal moths for pollination.

Ability

Sand Stabilizer

Its wide-spreading roots and stems help to hold loose sand in place, preventing erosion and creating a stable habitat.

Measurements & details

Height
10-50 cm
Spread
30-100 cm
Flower Size
2-4 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to fall
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

White-lined Sphinx Moth

Hyles lineata

visits fragrant flowers at night

eaten by

Beet Armyworm

Spodoptera exigua

larvae feed on its leaves

eaten by

Desert Cottontail

Sylvilagus audubonii

rabbits browse young plants

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't pick flowers, so everyone can enjoy them!

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Snowball Sand Verbena?

10-50 cm

How wide does Snowball Sand Verbena spread?

30-100 cm

How big are the flowers on Snowball Sand Verbena?

2-4 cm

When does Snowball Sand Verbena bloom?

Late spring to fall

Is Snowball Sand Verbena edible?

Yes

Is Snowball Sand Verbena toxic?

None

What is Snowball Sand Verbena's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Snowball Sand Verbena pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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