Abronia umbellata var. umbellata
Beach sand verbena
Photo: parent species Abronia umbellata · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Nyctaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Abronia umbellata var. umbellata (Beach sand verbena) is a native California herb in the Nyctaginaceae family, recognized by largest flowers with longest tubes diagnostic.
Beach sand verbena is a California native perennial found in coastal bioregions including Sonoma County, central and southern California Coast Ranges, Channel Islands, and southern deserts in sandy coastal dunes and disturbed areas at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering all year, this plant produces stunning light to dark magenta flowers with white throats in clusters of 10 to 27 blooms. Growing with spreading stems that form low, sprawling mats, it creates dense ground cover in coastal environments. Its leaves are fleshy and arranged in opposite pairs, contributing to its ability to thrive in harsh coastal sandy conditions. The flower perianth tube ranges from green to maroon, with a distinctive white spot in the throat that adds visual interest to its delicate magenta blossoms.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species - largest flowers with longest tubes diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed sandy areas, coastal dunes and scrub
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: Orange, Imperial, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Cruz, San Diego, Riverside, Monterey
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Abronia umbellata var. umbellata blooms All year.
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 var. umbellata native to California?
Yes. Abronia umbellata var. umbellata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Abronia umbellata var. umbellata bloom?
Abronia umbellata var. umbellata blooms All year.
Where in California does Abronia umbellata var. umbellata grow?
Abronia umbellata var. umbellata occurs in Orange, Imperial, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Cruz, San Diego and other counties, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Abronia umbellata var. umbellata belong to?
Abronia umbellata var. umbellata is in the Nyctaginaceae family, genus Abronia.
What habitat does Abronia umbellata var. umbellata grow in?
Abronia umbellata var. umbellata grows in Disturbed sandy areas, coastal dunes and scrub.
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.