Coastal Sand Verbena
Abronia latifolia
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
MeadowLore
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Nyctaginaceae
- Genus:
- Abronia
- Species:
- Abronia latifolia
- USDA Symbol:
- ABLA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Elegant Moth (Lithariapteryx elegans), Lasionycta arietis, Lasionycta wyatti, Lithariapteryx abroniaeella
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, native bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to coastal dunes and sandy beaches
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seed coat scarification improves germination. Seeds naturally abrade in sand movement. Light aids germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: After cleaning, moist seed is placed in a plastic freezer bag with an equal amount of perlite for a cold stratification treatment in a refrigerator for 2 weeks.
Source: npn.rngr.net