Red Sand Verbena

Abronia maritima

An rare perennial, spreading succulent occurring along the coastal strand and dunes.  It is a halophyte, requiring exposure to salt spray, and cannot tolerate fresh water. The leaves can isolate and store salt.  It can be found in small numbers at Bolsa Chica Wetlands, Crystal Cove State Park, Anaheim Bay, Corona del Mar and San Mateo Point in San Clemente State Park. Numbers are being increased in a restoration project at Bolsa Chica.  The flowers in this group have no petals but showy sepals that resemble petals. 

Native to Coastal Strand in Southern California and Baja California. Included in the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants on list 4.2 (limited distribution).

Comparison between Abronia umbellata and Ambronia maritima

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