About Abronia latifolia Eschsch.
Abronia latifolia Eschsch. (also called Abronia arenaria) is a perennial sand-verbena species, commonly known as coastal sand-verbena or yellow sand-verbena. It is native to the west coast of North America, ranging from southern California to southern British Columbia. In Canada, this species is at risk of extirpation, or is classified as threatened or endangered. This plant produces attractive, neatly rounded heads of small, bright golden flowers. Individual flowers have no petals; instead, yellow bracts form a trumpet-shaped calyx around the stamens. It produces a small, winged fruit. Abronia latifolia grows in succulent mats on sand or other coastal substrates. Its roots are stout and fusiform, and often reach several feet in length. These roots are edible, and were traditionally eaten by the Chinookan peoples. This species displays psammophory, an anti-herbivore adaptation where sand adheres to the plant's body to make it harder for herbivores to eat. It requires salt water rather than fresh water, and cannot tolerate extreme drought.
