Petalonyx thurberi, commonly known as Thurber’s sandpaper plant, is a perennial subshrub native to the arid desert regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, particularly thriving in sandy and gravelly soils of desert washes, scrublands, and rocky slopes. It typically grows up to 3 feet tall and wide, forming clumps with many rough-haired stems. The leaves are variable in shape, ranging from lance-shaped to triangular, and are sometimes toothed, with a distinctive sandpapery texture. From late spring to early summer, the plant produces showy clusters of white flowers that are tubular with petals fused near the tips, appearing in small racemes. The flowers are attractive to pollinators such as bees.

Thurber’s sandpaper plant is valued for its drought tolerance and unique texture, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping, rock gardens, and naturalistic desert landscapes. It requires minimal maintenance once established and is best grown in full sun with well-draining soil. While it is not commonly used in traditional garden settings, its resilience to harsh conditions and interesting foliage make it an appealing option for gardeners looking to create a desert-themed garden. There are two subspecies, with the rarer ssp. gilmanii limited to the deserts in and around Death Valley. This plant is not known for significant disease or pest issues, but it may struggle in overly moist or rich soils.CC BY-SA 4.0