Abronia nana

Abronia nana
Abronia nana flowers
Conservation status
Apparently Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Nyctaginaceae
Genus:	Abronia
Species:	A. nana
Binomial name
Abronia nana S.Watson
Varieties
A. n. var. covillei A. n. var. nana
Synonyms
List Abronia covillei Heimerl Abronia nana subsp. covillei (Heimerl) Munz Abronia nana var. lanciformis M.E.Jones

Abronia nana, commonly known as the dwarf sand verbena, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the arid regions of western North America, including parts of the Mojave Desert and Great Basin.

Description

Known for its delicate, low-growing habit and vibrant flowers, this species thrives in sandy, well-drained soils, often in dunes, desert flats, and rocky outcrops. The plant forms a compact, prostrate or low-mounding structure, typically no more than a few inches in height, and its sprawling nature helps add stability in its native sandy environment.

The leaves of Abronia nana are simple, ovate to lanceolate, and are often covered in fine, glandular hairs, giving them a somewhat sticky texture. This adaptation helps reduce water loss and discourages herbivory. Its flowers are tubular and arranged in clusters, or umbels, at the tips of stems. They are usually pink, magenta, or occasionally white, and emit a pleasant fragrance during the evening and early morning hours to attract pollinators. The plant also produces tiny dry fruits that have wings to aid them in windborne dispersal.