SafePlants

Coastal Sand Verbena (Abronia latifolia)

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions that this plant grows in loose, shifting sand and has stout roots. While not explicitly toxic, the potential for pets to ingest sand or dig up the plant should be considered.

Considerations for Children

• The plant is found in coastal areas, so children playing in these areas might encounter it. The text does not mention specific hazards, but general awareness of the plant is advisable.

Common Names

• Coastal Sand Verbena
• Yellow Sand Verbena
• Sand Verbena

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Abronia latifolia Eschsch.
• Family: Nyctaginaceae (F O'clock Family)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• Synonyms: A. arenaria

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to the west coast of North America.
• Found from British Columbia, Canada, to Baja California, Mexico.
• Specifically mentioned locations include:
  • Santa Barbara County
  • Puget Sound in Washington State
  • Sandy coasts of southwestern British Columbia
  • West coast trail, BC
  • Seaside, Oregon
  • Strait of Georgia region
• Grows near sea level, in sandy coastal areas that lack dense plant cover, and on coastal sand dunes.

Ecological Role

• The Sand-verbena Moth (Copablepharon fuscum) is dependent on the yellow sand-verbena.
• The Sand-verbena Moth is an endangered moth in Canada.
• Mentioned as a member of the coastal strand plant community.

Morphological Characteristics

• Perennial herb.
• Flowers are yellow and trumpet-shaped, growing in hemispherical heads.
• Grows in succulent mats on sand or other coastal substrate.
• Roots are stout, fusiform, and often several feet long.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Host plant for the Sand-verbena Moth (Copablepharon fuscum), an endangered species.

Quirky Facts

• It is the only yellow Sand Verbena, with similar species differing primarily by flower color found along the Pacific Coast.
• The Sand Verbena Restaurant uses the plant as inspiration, implying a connection to local Pacific soils.

Further Information

• Discover Life provides information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Abronia latifolia.
• CalPhotos: click on a photo of Abronia latifolia
• California Academy of Sciences, Abronia latifolia