New Low-Water Flower Created

Scientists have created a drought-resistant wildflower, providing homeowners with a simpler way to beautify their gardens and conserve water.

Researchers had known that Prairie verbena, a common wildflower often spotted along Texas highways, blooms all through March and into October. Now, scientists at Texas Tech University have introduced a new cultivar of this flower known as Raider Amethyst, which was bred for homeowners and landscape architects looking to cultivate low-maintenance home gardens and public use areas.

Raider Amethyst, which grows throughout the season with minimal care, is available as commercial and experimental seed. The flower is the second addition to the Raider Wildflower collection, following Melampodium leucanthum, commonly known as blackfoot daisy.

"Urban water usage has been estimated to be about 70 percent of water consumption in the average metropolitan area,” said Cynthia McKenney, Associate Professor of Horticulture at Texas Tech. “By utilizing water-conserving or drought-tolerant plants such as Raider Amethyst, people will be able to maintain an attractive landscape while reducing the use of potable water."

—LiveScience Staff

• Top 10 Poisonous Plants
• Do Plants Have Sex? 
• Human Affection Altered Evolution of Flowers

Credit: Cynthia McKenney, Texas Tech University