Spherical flower cluster of abronia pogonantha (mojave sand verbena), near Little Finland, Lake Mead
Common name:
Mojave sand verbena
Family:
Scientific name:
Abronia pogonantha
Main flower color:
Range:
The Mojave Desert of California and south Nevada, extending towards the south California coast
Height:
Up to 2 feet
Habitat:
Sunny, sandy locations in deserts and adjacent areas, often associated with Joshua trees; up to 5.000 feet
Leaves:
Light green, ovate, 2.5 inches long
Season:
March to July
The long-lasting, spherical inflorescence of abronia pogonantha consists of between 12 and 24 small flowers, each with a narrow, lightly hairy, rose pink tube (up to an inch in length) and five lobes, irregularly divided. The lobes are usually pure white but may also be pink or light purple. Five thin, leaf-like bracts encircle the base of the cluster. The plant grows upwards, branching a few times, producing oval leaves at widely spaced intervals along the green or purplish stems. It is found in higher elevations of the Mojave Desert, extending northwest to the San Joaquin Valley.
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