Abronia umbellata var. breviflora

Pink sand-verbena, pink sand-verbena, pink sand-verbena

Family: Nyctaginaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1

Pink sand-verbena is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in northern coastal and central coastal bioregions, specifically in Marin County, in disturbed sandy areas, coastal dunes, and scrub at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces magenta flowers with cream to light yellow throat spots in clusters of 10 to 18 blooms. Growing with delicate, spreading stems that trail along sandy surfaces, it forms low-growing mats characteristic of coastal dune environments. Its leaves are soft and oval, creating a dense ground-covering appearance that helps stabilize sandy soils. The flower perianth tube ranges from green to magenta, with a distinctive light yellow throat spot that adds visual complexity to its delicate magenta blooms.

Habitat: Disturbed sandy areas, coastal dunes and scrub

Bloom period: Jun-Sep

Elevation: < 100 m

Bioregions: NCo, CCo (Marin Co.)

California counties: Humboldt, Mendocino

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.