Yellow Sand Verbena
Abronia latifolia
Yellow Sand Verbena is a succulent coastal perennial with fragrant golden flower clusters and fleshy foliage. This dune-stabilizing native creates stunning mats of color along Pacific beaches.
Nyctaginaceae (Four O'Clock family)
Late spring through late summer (May-August), often flowering year-round in ideal conditions
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: sand verbenas and coastal wildflowerss also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
Yellow Sand Verbena is an iconic plant of Pacific Coast dunes, representing the unique adaptations needed to survive in harsh coastal environments. The plant exhibits psammophory—attracting sand particles to its sticky stems and leaves as a defense against herbivores, making itself difficult to eat. This clever adaptation symbolizes resourcefulness and turning challenges into advantages. As a dune stabilizer, yellow sand verbena is ecologically critical, helping build and maintain coastal dune systems that protect inland areas from storms and erosion. The plant's fragrant flowers attract bees and butterflies, supporting coastal pollinator populations. In Canada, this species is considered threatened or endangered, highlighting the fragility of coastal ecosystems. Yellow sand verbena represents the beauty and importance of protecting coastal habitats and the indigenous knowledge of coastal food plants.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun on coast; needs afternoon shade inland
Water
Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established; tolerates salt spray and occasional ocean inundation; benefits from fog moisture
Soil
Sandy, Loose, Well-drained, Coastal dune sand
Expert Growing Tips
Plant in spring in extremely well-draining sandy soil
Peel outer seed coat and soak seeds 24 hours before planting
Germination slow (1-2 months at 15°C) unless seed is pre-treated
Seedlings prone to damping off; ensure good ventilation
Space 3-4 feet apart to allow for spreading
Tolerates full sun and salt spray on immediate coast
Needs some afternoon shade in inland or hot locations
When stressed, dies back to root and resprouts when conditions improve
Take stem cuttings in spring, root in sand
Hardy to zone 8; not hardy in colder climates
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Coastal gardens and beachfront landscaping
- Sand dune stabilization and erosion control
- Succulent ground covers
- Seaside rock gardens
- Native plant gardens in coastal zones
- Containers with excellent drainage
- Green infrastructure for coastal properties
- Butterfly and pollinator gardens
Traditional Uses
- Roots are edible—traditionally eaten by Chinook and other coastal Native peoples
- Roots are stout, fusiform (carrot-shaped), and can be several feet long
- Taste described as sweet; emergency food source
- Roots harvested in fall, eaten raw or cooked
- Modern foraging should only be from cultivated plants to protect wild populations
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Yellow Sand Verbena
is yellow sand verbena invasive?
No, yellow sand verbena is native to Pacific coastal dunes and is not invasive. In fact, it's considered threatened or endangered in parts of its range (Canada) due to habitat loss and should be protected.
how does yellow sand verbena stabilize dunes?
Yellow sand verbena stabilizes dunes through its spreading growth habit and deep root system (roots can be several feet long). The prostrate stems trap sand, building and anchoring dunes against erosion.
can you eat sand verbena roots?
Yes, the roots are edible and were traditionally harvested by coastal Native peoples like the Chinook. However, only harvest from cultivated plants—never from wild populations, which are declining and need protection.
why are my sand verbena flowers fragrant at night?
Yellow sand verbena flowers are most fragrant in evening and at night to attract nocturnal pollinators like moths. The sweet scent is part of the plant's pollination strategy in coastal environments.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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Sand Verbena
Abronia latifolia
Sand Verbena is a succulent coastal perennial with bright golden-yellow trumpet-shaped flowers in round clusters, essential for stabilizing coastal sand dunes.
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Various species (Armeria, Limonium, Eryngium, etc.)
Coastal wildflowers are hardy plants that thrive in seaside conditions, adapted to salt spray and sandy soils. They symbolize resilience, adaptation, and the beauty of wild, untamed nature.
Yellow Horned Poppy
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Yellow Horned Poppy is a coastal perennial with handsome blue-gray foliage and bright golden-yellow poppy flowers followed by spectacular long curved seed pods up to 12 inches.