Yellow Sand Verbena

Abronia latifolia

The Yellow Sand Verbena is a bright yellow flower that grows in sandy areas. It loves the sun and attracts butterflies and bees, making it a happy sight in nature!

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Yellow Sand Verbena has vibrant yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers clustered together, forming a cheerful mat on sandy ground. Its thick, somewhat sticky, oval leaves often appear grayish-green, helping it blend into coastal environments. It grows low and spreads wide.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyNyctaginaceaeGenusAbronia

Photo: Eric in SFCC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Yellow Sand Verbena

Interesting facts

Its round, winged seeds are so light they can float on ocean waves to colonize new beaches!

Often called 'Beach Sand Verbena,' it's a super important plant for stabilizing fragile sand dunes!

The thick, starchy roots of Yellow Sand Verbena can be roasted and eaten like potatoes!

This plant releases a sweet, vanilla-like scent, especially strong at night, to attract moths!

Special abilities

Yellow Sand Verbena can spread wide, forming dense mats to anchor sandy soil and protect itself from strong coastal winds.

Its leaves have tiny hairs that make them sticky, helping to collect sand and deter hungry browsers.

It has deep roots that store water and nutrients, helping it survive dry, sandy, and salty coastal conditions.

Measurements & details

Height: 5-15 cm
Spread: 30-100 cm
Flower Size: 0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season: Late spring to early fall
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

Pollinates

Yellow-faced Bumble Bee

Bombus vosnesenskii

Collects nectar and pollen.

Pollinates

Painted Lady

Vanessa cardui

Feeds on its sweet nectar.

Eaten by

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

Browses leaves and stems.

Traits

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Cluster Flower

Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.

Shrub

A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.

Summer Blooming

Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.

Drought Tolerant

Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Coastal

Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Plants

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't pick flowers, so everyone can enjoy them!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Yellow Sand Verbena?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Yellow Sand Verbena?

5-15 cm

How wide does Yellow Sand Verbena spread?

30-100 cm

How big are the flowers on Yellow Sand Verbena?

0.5-1 cm

When does Yellow Sand Verbena bloom?

Late spring to early fall

Is Yellow Sand Verbena edible?

Yes

Is Yellow Sand Verbena toxic?

None