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desert sand verbena
Scientific Name: Abronia villosa var. aurita
Family: Nyctaginaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Annual
Other Names:
Desert Sand Verbena (Abronia villosa)
The Desert Sand Verbena, scientifically known as Abronia villosa, is a beautiful annual wildflower native to the deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is also referred to as Chaparral Sand-Verbena and Hairy Sand Verbena.
Considerations for Pets
- The plant is described as a soft-haired, sticky plant.
Considerations for Children
- The plant is described as a soft-haired, sticky plant.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Abronia villosa
- Common Names: Desert Sand-Verbena, Chaparral Sand-Verbena, Hairy Sand Verbena
- Family: Nyctaginaceae (Four o'clock plant family)
- Taxonomic Rank: Species
- Synonyms: Abronia villosa var. villosa
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to the desert southwest of North America.
- Found in southern California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Baja California, and northern Mexico.
- Specifically grows in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts.
- Prefers sandy flats, creosote bush scrub, and open sandy areas up to 3000 ft.
Morphology and Growth Habits
- Annual plant, growing to approximately 0.1 meters (4 inches) in height and 0.5 meters (1 foot 8 inches) in width.
- Appears as a mat after winter rains, growing up to 20 inches across.
- Grows 3-6 inches high.
- Glandular-pubescent, much-branched annual.
- Stems can be prostrate (lying flat) or ascending and are somewhat sticky.
- Covered in short, sticky hairs.
- Leaves are opposite.
- Flowers are white to light purple, or vibrant purple to rose-pink.
- Blooms from February to July, particularly after ample winter rains.
- Flowers are fragrant, especially at nighttime.
Quirky Facts
- After ample winter rains, Desert Sand Verbena may carpet miles of desert with pink flowers.
Additional Resources
- Dave's Garden: A community sharing gardening tips, ideas, seeds, and plants.
- California Academy of Sciences: Mentioned in relation to a Desert Sand Verbena ID.
- Wikimedia Commons: Contains images of Abronia villosa.
- Getty Images and Shutterstock: Offer stock photos of Desert Sand Verbena.