Abronia umbellata
Beach sand verbena
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Family: Nyctaginaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Abronia umbellata (Beach sand verbena) is a native California vine in the Nyctaginaceae family, recognized by Coastal mat-forming perennial; slender non-fleshy ovate–diamond leaves, rose-magenta flowers.
Beach sand verbena is a California native perennial found along the coastal regions in sandy or dune habitats near the Pacific Ocean. Flowering from March to October, this plant produces light to dark magenta flowers with a white to cream throat, clustered in umbel-like groups of 10 to 27 blossoms. Growing as a prostrate herb spreading over 1 meter long with slender, generally erect stems, it creates low-growing mats across sandy landscapes. Its leaves are distinctive, with broad ovate to diamond-shaped blades 15 to 70 millimeters long and 8 to 50 millimeters wide, attached to slender petioles. The fruit is glandular-hairy at its base, developing distinctive wings that help distinguish this characteristic coastal plant.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Coastal mat-forming perennial; slender non-fleshy ovate–diamond leaves, rose-magenta flowers
Habitat and range
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Diego, Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, San Mateo, Orange, Humboldt, San Bernardino, Alameda, Mendocino, Del Norte, Sonoma, Marin, Inyo, Riverside
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 umbellata native to California?
Yes. Abronia umbellata is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Abronia umbellata grow?
Abronia umbellata occurs in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Diego, Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Francisco and other counties.
What plant family does Abronia umbellata belong to?
Abronia umbellata is in the Nyctaginaceae family, genus Abronia.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.