Yellow Sand Verbena

(Abronia latifolia)

 

Yellow Sand Verbena flower and fruit on the dunes at Crissy Field.

Will Elder, NPS

 

Origin Of Genus Name: Abronia is Greek for "graceful."

Presidio Locations: Found in coastal foredunes.

Range In State: California coast. The Presidio is the type locality for this species.

Description: This native, perennial forms a dense prostrate mat on open sand dunes. It has long fleshy leaves and deep roots. The Russian naturalist Ivan Eschscholtz described and named this species from a specimen he collected in 1824 while visiting the Presidio. Blooms June to September.

Native Californian Uses: The Ohlone made a tea used for typhoid fever. The Diengueno used Sand Verbena to make a diuretic.

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