Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains
Coastal Sand Plain
Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
Plant Characteristics
Growth Form
Herbaceous
Height
1
to
1.5
ft.
Spread
.5
to
1
ft.
Leaf Retention
Deciduous
Lifespan
Perennial
Habitat and Care Requirements
Soil Type(s)
Sand, Deep, Well Drained, Dry
Light Requirement
Part Shade
Water Requirement
Medium
Native Habitat
Grassland, Woodland
Bloom and Attraction
Bloom Color
Pink
Bloom Season
Spring
Seasonal Interest
Nectar
Wildlife Benefit
Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Moths
Maintenance
Abronias do not transplant well and they require good drainage to avoid rotting. Blooms are ornamental, good in gardens. Propagation: Sow the seeds in the fall.
Comments
Blooms January-June. The plants are branched and sometimes sprawling, and sticky all over. Stems are coarse and hairy. Leaves are wavy on the edges. The pink flowers grow in round clusters and are very aromatic. When the flower goes to seed it looks like a cushion filled with pins. Nectar: Butterflies, especially Tiger Swallowtails.
References
1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ABAM2 3) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=15336&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Abronia+ameliae&formsubmit=Search+Terms 5) Wasowski, Sally and Wasowski, Andy, Native Texas Plants, Landscaping Region by Region, 1988, 1991, pg 175. 6) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 52. 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=19552#null