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Allionia spp.
Southwestern United States, Mexico, and South America
Overview
Allionia spp. is a small genus of two prostrate herbs in the family Nyctaginaceae, native to the warmer parts of the Americas from the southwestern United States through Mexico to South America. The trailing stems radiate flat across the ground to 1 m (3 ft) or more, rooting at the nodes and covered in sticky glandular hairs that trap sand and grit. Paired oval leaves 1-4 cm (0.4-1.6 in) long are often unequal in size. What looks like a single magenta to pink flower 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 in) wide is actually a tight cluster of three flowers sharing one set of bracts; they open in the morning and close by midday. The fruit is a small ribbed, sticky achene that clings to fur and feet. Allionia spp. grows on open sand, gravel, roadsides, and desert flats, flowering after rain and surviving long dry spells with a deep taproot in the perennial species. The annual A. incarnata completes its cycle in a single wet season. Plants need heat and bright sun and fade in shade or cool, damp conditions.
Native Range
Native to the Americas, from the southwestern United States and Mexico south to Argentina and Chile, growing in deserts, dry grassland, and other open, sandy habitats.Suggested Uses
Grown as a heat- and drought-tolerant groundcover in desert, rock, and gravel gardens, and in containers where its trailing stems spill over the edge. The plant is also used to hold loose sandy soil on dry banks.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 4"
Width/Spread2' - 3'11"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight