SafePlants

Pink Sand Verbena (Abronia umbellata)

Abronia umbellata, commonly known as pink sand verbena or beach sand verbena, is a flowering perennial plant that thrives in specific coastal environments.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant has succulent leaves, which may be tempting for some pets to nibble on.

Considerations for Children

• The plant grows in sandy areas and may be attractive to play near.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Abronia umbellata
• Common Names: Pink sand verbena, Beach sand verbena
• Family: Nyctaginaceae (Four-o'clock family)

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to western North America and the western United States.
• Specifically found on upper sand beaches, just below the driftwood zone, along exposed coastlines and stabilized beach sand of interior dunes, typically 200-5000 ft (60-1800 meters) from the surf.
• Its distribution extends from British Columbia to Baja California in coastal dunes.
• Oregon's largest population is found on the Coos Bay North Spit.

Morphological Characteristics

• Prostrate, trailing perennial herb.
• Has few to many slender, glabrous to glandular-hairy stems.
• Features opposite, ovate to round leaves.
• Has attractive rose colored flowers with white centers
• Prostrate, trailing, with erect stems supporting
• Leaves are succulent but thinner than those of A. maritima.

Ecological Role

• Evidence suggests that the snowy plover uses this sand verbena for forage and cover.
• Threatened by high levels of human activity on beaches.
• Can be threatened by invasive species.

Quirky Facts

• The genus name Abronia comes from the Greek word for "graceful".

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The Sand-verbena Moth is associated with this plant and is an endangered moth in Canada.