NPSOT Logo
Join / Renew / Gift Donate Shop Member Portal Language
Search

Native Plant Society of Texas

Search
Close this search box.

Heart's Delight

Abronia ameliae

Other common name(s):

Amelia's Sand-verbena

Family:

Nyctaginaceae (Four-O'Clock Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

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

Download a 1 page PDF file for this plant, suitable for sharing, printing, and plant sales. Includes an ecoregion map, and a QR code back to this page.

Downloading PDFs only works on desktop browsers

You can favorite this plant and others and maintain a list of your favorite native plants below. You can also unfavorite a plant and clear your list. Click on a plant to go to it.

      No Favorites

Get in Touch

Contact the State

Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Become a Member

Become an important part of a statewide community with over 4,000 members, who are united in our mission to promote Texas native plants!

Join Us!

Stay Informed

To keep up with what’s new at the Native Plant Society of Texas, subscribe to the state office email list. We won’t share your information with anyone.

Subscribe
Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram Camera
Member Portal
Chapter Tool Chest
Admin Login

Native Plant Society of Texas is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization This website and all content Copyright © Native Plant Society of Texas. All rights reserved. Content may not be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission. Contact the Webmaster.