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Palafoxia hookeriana (Sand palafox)
Carr, Bill

Palafoxia hookeriana Torr. & Gray

Sand palafox, Hooker palafoxia, Sand palafoxia, Hooker's palafoxia

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

USDA Symbol: paho

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Sand palafox grows 16–40 inches tall and is unbranched except for the numerous flower stems on the upper third. It is lightly covered with hair, and somewhat sticky. Leaves are 4 inches long or less and 3/4 inch wide. Flower heads have 8–12 rose-colored ray flowers, deeply 3-toothed and about 1/2 inch long, and many rose-colored disc flowers (248).

This genus is named after José de Palafox y Melzi, Duke of Saragossa (1776–1847), a Spanish captain-general, in the war against the invading armies of Napoleon.

The species is named for William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865), who was Director of Kew Gardens from 1841-1865. He wrote “Flora boreali-americana” and many other works. He was founder and editor of “Journal of Botany”.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: 16-40
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: MS , TX
Native Habitat: Dunes
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Limestone-based
Conditions Comments: Sand palafox is unbranched except for the numerous flower stems. It is lightly covered with hair, and somewhat sticky. Flower heads have 8–12 rose-colored ray flowers. Blooming can be increased and prolonged by prunning and dead heading.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Wildflower meadow, Rocky hillside
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

National Butterfly Center - Mission, TX

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1321 Collected 2013-09-28 in Montgomery County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Bibliography

Bibref 765 - McMillen's Texas Gardening: Wildflowers (1998) Howard, D.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

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Additional resources

USDA: Find Palafoxia hookeriana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Palafoxia hookeriana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Palafoxia hookeriana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-10-20
Research By: TWC Staff

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