Abronia nana var. covillei
Coville's dwarf abronia, Coville's dwarf abronia, Coville's dwarf abronia
Family: Nyctaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Abronia nana var. covillei (Coville's dwarf abronia) is a native California herb in the Nyctaginaceae family, recognized by perennial habit and glaucous leaves diagnostic.
Coville's dwarf abronia is a rare (CNPS 4.2) California native perennial found in the San Bernardino Mountains, White and Inyo Mountains, and Desert Mountains in dry sandy places at elevations of 1,600 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white to light pink flowers in dense clusters with perianth tubes 11 to 15 millimeters long. Growing as a densely tufted herb less than 6 centimeters tall, it forms compact ground-hugging clumps. Its basal leaves are glaucous with oblong to nearly round blades 5 to 20 millimeters long, supported by petioles 1 to 4 centimeters long. The fruit features five thin, rounded wings approximately 7 to 8 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species - perennial habit and glaucous leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry sandy places
Elevation: 1600-2800 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo
Outside California: southwestern Nevada
Bloom period
Abronia nana var. covillei blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Lantana: Abronia flowers have no true petals (colorful sepals); Lantana has small tubular flowers with 4-5 petals.; vs Calystegia: Abronia has small flowers in dense rounded heads; Calystegia has large solitary funnel-shaped flowers.; vs Verbena: Abronia flowers are in dense rounded heads on trailing stems; Verbena has flowers in spikes.; vs Mirabilis: Abronia flowers lack the cup of fused bracts; Mirabilis has 5 bracts forming a cup around flowers.; vs Glandularia: Abronia has dense rounded flower heads and thick-winged fruits; Glandularia has spiked clusters and dry capsules.
Frequently asked questions
Is Abronia nana var. covillei native to California?
Yes. Abronia nana var. covillei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Abronia nana var. covillei bloom?
Abronia nana var. covillei blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Abronia nana var. covillei grow?
Abronia nana var. covillei occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, at elevations of 1600-2800 m.
What plant family does Abronia nana var. covillei belong to?
Abronia nana var. covillei is in the Nyctaginaceae family, genus Abronia.
Is Abronia nana var. covillei rare or endangered?
Abronia nana var. covillei carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.