SafePlants

Pink Sand Verbena (Abronia umbellata)

Abronia umbellata, commonly known as pink sand verbena, is a flowering perennial plant native to western North America. It is also known as beach sand verbena and purple sand verbena.

Considerations for Pets

• Pink sand verbena is a prostrate plant, meaning it grows along the ground, which might make it accessible to pets.
• It has somewhat succulent leaves.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Abronia umbellata
• Common Names: Pink sand verbena, beach sand verbena, purple sand verbena
• Family: Nyctaginaceae (Four o'clock family)
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• Subspecies:
  • Abronia umbellata subsp. umbellata
  • Abronia umbellata subsp. breviflora
• Synonyms: Abronia umbellata var. breviflora (Standley) L. A. Galloway
• Origin of Genus Name: Abronia is Greek for "graceful."

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to western North America and the western United States.
• Found in coastal sandy beach and dune ecosystems.
• Historically found along the shores of Vancouver Island.
• Specifically mentioned at Crissy Field and Leadbetter Point (Washington State).
• Extends from British Columbia to Baja California.

Ecological Role

• Endangered in some regions, such as Canada.
• Important for coastal sage scrub ecosystems.

Morphological Characteristics

• Prostrate perennial with slender stems.
• Stems are often reddish and can grow more than 3 feet long.
• Leaves are opposite, ovate, and can be hairless or covered with gland-tipped hairs.
• Flowers are deep pink to white and grow in heads.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Observed with Painted Lady butterflies nectaring on it.

Quirky Facts

• Pink sand verbena was the first North American plant collected and described from west of the Mississippi.