SafePlants

Pink Sand Verbena (Abronia umbellata)

Abronia umbellata, commonly known as pink sand verbena, is a flowering perennial plant with a prostrate growth habit, native to western North America and the western United States.

Common Names

• Pink Sand Verbena
• Beach Sand Verbena
• Purple Sand Verbena

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Abronia umbellata Lam.
• Family: Nyctaginaceae (Four o'clock family)
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• Subspecies:
  • Abronia umbellata subsp. umbellata
  • Abronia umbellata subsp. breviflora

Considerations for Pets

• The plant is described as having stems that may be hairless or covered with gland-tipped hairs, which could potentially cause mild skin irritation if handled.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to western North America and the western United States.
• Found in coastal sandy beach and dune ecosystems, specifically in coastal dunes from British Columbia to Baja California.
• Historically found on the shores of Vancouver Island.

Ecological Role

• Some subspecies, like Abronia umbellata subsp. breviflora, are endangered and regionally endemic to shoreline habitats along the Pacific Coast of North America.
• Once thought to be extirpated from Washington State but rediscovered in 2006.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Prostrate perennial.
• Somewhat succulent leaves, though thinner than those of Abronia maritima.
• Stems are often reddish, becoming more than 3 feet long, and may be hairless or covered with gland-tipped hairs.
• Grows as a prostrate mat.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Observed to be a nectar source for Painted Lady butterflies.

Quirky Facts

• Pink sand verbena was the first North American plant collected and described from west of the Mississippi.
• The genus name "Abronia" is derived from the Greek word for "graceful."

Further Information

• CalPhotos
• UCSC Natural Reserves
• Dave's Garden