Abronia fragrans aka Fragrant Sand Verbena

Abronia fragrans is a perennial in the four o'clock family. Common names include fragrant sand verbena and prairie snowball. Its native range spans the central and west-central United States. It also grows in Chihuahua and Coahuila in northern Mexico. Wild plants grow in dry, sandy plains, grasslands, and scrub. They also occur in open woods, meadows, and pastures.

Plants grow 1–3 feet [0.3–0.91 metres] tall and wide. Their form ranges from upright to spreading along the ground. Thick green stems carry short hairs and feel sticky. The flower stems rise above the sprawling growth. Leaves grow in opposite pairs and have smooth edges. Each simple leaf has an egg-shaped outline. Bright green leaves may show red near their bases. They reach about 0.25 feet [0.076 metres] long. Dense hairs cover the leaves, with more beneath them.

Flowers bloom from April to September in rounded heads. These heads reach about 0.17 feet [0.05 metres] across. Most flowers are white, though pink, lavender, or green occur. Each flower has a long tube with five small lobes. Five thin, yellow-green bracts sit beneath each flower head. Flowers open late in the day and stay open overnight. They close in the morning and give off a vanilla scent. Butterflies visit the blooms. Small, glossy brown or black achenes form the fruit. A tough calyx base surrounds each achene and may bear wings.

Give this plant sandy soil that drains well. It also grows in loam and tolerates a broad pH range. Sources support full sun, though NC State also lists partial shade. The plant tolerates drought and suits dry garden sites. NC State lists USDA zones 7–10 and low upkeep. Plants For A Future notes limited hardiness in Britain. It suggests warm, sheltered sites in the south. Plants there rarely ripen seed. Use it in rock gardens, native gardens, or as groundcover. Its evening scent suits night gardens, while flowers draw butterflies. NC State reports no major pest or disease problems.

Some Indigenous peoples used the roots as a food supplement. They cooked or dried them and mixed ground roots with corn. Plants For A Future warns that roots can upset digestion. Reported effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These reports do not establish a safe food use. Historical remedies used roots and flowers for stomach complaints. Other uses included washes for mouth sores and tired feet. ASPCA lists the species as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.