Abronia Sp. - Sand-Verbena

Edible Root Related Sp. used medicinally Rare (BC)

Family: Nyctaginaceae (Four o'clock family) [E-flora]

Exotic flora (Plate 193) (9143197677)
Abronia latifolia
[Wiki]-1
Abronia latifolia
Abronia latifolia
[Wiki]-2

Genus Description

"Annual, perennial herb, generally glandular. Stem: prostrate to ascending, generally ± red. Leaf: generally fleshy, petioled. Inflorescence: head or umbel; flowers maturing outer before inner. Fruit: body fusiform; wings (0)2–5, lobe-like, prominent." [Jepson]

Ecology: Many species, including Abronia maritima and Abronia latifolia, are covered with glandular trichomes (colleters) which secrete a sticky substance. Sand grains adhere to these surfaces, forming a protective mantle against abrasion and desiccation [Danin PDD]. Abronia villosa (Desert Sand-verbena) is a Day-Neutral Plant (DNP) that evolved to germinate, grow, and flower quickly whenever sufficient water is available [Zeiger PP].

Paleobotany: Pollen of Abronia latifolia found on Vancouver Island indicates the antiquity of this species on sandy shorelines [APAK Turner].

"25 species: western North America. (Greek: graceful) [Galloway 2003 FNANM 4:61–69] Closely related to Tripterocalyx; relationships among species Abronia gracilis Benth. (Mexico), Abronia maritima, Abronia umbellata, and Abronia villosa need study; hybrids involve Abronia latifolia, Abronia maritima, Abronia umbellata; Abronia gracilis included in TJM ---(1993) based on misidentifications." [Jepson]

Differentiation: Vegetatively, Abronia umbellata var. breviflora could be confused with Abronia latifolia (yellow sand-verbena). Abronia latifolia has yellow flowers, broader ovate to reniform leaves, and achenes with wings narrower than the body of the achene. It has habitat requirements similar to those of A. umbellata var. breviflora; the two species can grow intermixed. [Jepson]

Local Species

  1. Abronia latifolia - Yellow sand-verbena (Synonym: A. arenaria) [E-flora] [PFAF]
  2. Abronia umbellata - Pink sand-verbena [E-flora]
    • var. breviflora

1. Abronia latifolia - Yellow Sand-Verbena

Blue-Listed (BC)

"Abronia latifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is hardy to zone (UK) 8. It is in flower from Jun to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure." [PFAF]

Morphology
  • General: "Perennial herb from thick, deep taproot; finely glandular-hairy throughout, including flowers and fruits; stems trailing, to 2 m long; branches short, forming dense mat." [IFBC-E-flora]
  • Leaves: "Opposite, thick and fleshy, broadly egg-shaped to kidney-shaped, 1.5-5 cm long, over half as wide; stalks 1-6 cm long." [IFBC-E-flora]
  • Flowers: "Inflorescence of many-flowered (17-34), rounded heads, on stout flower stalks 1-6 cm long; bracts in a whorl, usually 5, lance-egg-shaped to broadly elliptic; perianth tube greenish-yellow and 8-10 mm long, widely-flaring into 5-lobed limb 5-7 mm wide, bright yellow or somewhat orange." [IFBC-E-flora]
  • Fruits: "Achenes, 8-12 mm long, with 4-5 keel-like wings, narrowing at each end, net-veined." [IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat & Range

"Moist coastal beaches and sand dunes in the lowland zone; infrequent on the Queen Charlotte Islands, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands; S to CA." [IFBC-E-flora]

"Coastal sand dunes and sea beaches(60). Sandy soils, coastal scrub, lees of dunes adjacent to strand from sea level to 50 metres(270). South-western N. America - California to Vancouver Island." [PFAF]

Status: Native. [E-flora]

Ethnobotany & Edibility

Edible Root: Root Edible [EMNMPV.11][EWP] "large and sweet(46, 61, 118). An emergency food, used when all else fails(177). Long and stout(183), it can be more than 60cm in length(2)...." [PFAF]

  • Chinook: The long, stout roots were eaten [Sturtevant EPW].
  • Makah & Klallam: Roots were dug in the fall and cooked (steamed or boiled). They were described as large and sugary, compared to sugar beets in flavor and appearance [Turner, Kuhnlein] [APAK Turner] [Gunther, 1945].
  • Saanich: Likely the "wild potato" (ckɔ'wißelax) referred to in Saanich ethnobotany growing on beaches [Turner&Bell1].
  • Nutritional Info: Nuts contain 90g of water, 1.8g of ash and 1.1g of protein per 100g fresh weight [Turner&Kuhnlein].

Phytochemicals: A novel C-methyl isoflavone has been isolated from Abronia latifolia [Andersen FCBA].

Conservation Warning: This is a rare species in Canada and should not be used [Turner, Kuhnlein].

Cultivation

"Prefers a light well-drained sandy soil in full sun(200). This species is not very hardy in Britain, though it should succeed outdoors in the southern part of the country, especially if given a warm sheltered site(200). Seed is rarely ripened on plants growing in Britain(1)."[PFAF]

"Seed - sow autumn or early spring very shallowly in pots of sandy soil in a greenhouse(133). Germination can be very slow unless you peel off the outer skin and pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water(200, 245). The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 15°c(133). When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Seedlings are prone to damp off and so should be kept well-ventilated(200). Plant out in late spring, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings in spring, rooted in sand(200)." [PFAF]

Synonyms

2. Abronia umbellata - Pink Sand-Verbena

Red-Listed (BC)

"Pink sand verbena is an annual (sometimes perennial) species of maritime beach habitats, including disturbed sandy areas, coastal scrub, and lees of sand dunes (Spellenberg 2004). It is endemic to the central Pacific Coast of North America where it is found within the driftwood zone. Only one population of the species is known in Canada, from Pacific Rim National Park in British Columbia, although plants have not been seen in several years (Fairbarns et al. 2007). Recovery efforts are underway to reintroduce it within its historical range (Fairbarns et al. 2007). This is a prostrate species with a deep tap-root and trailing stems (Hickman 1993; Spellenberg 2004). Flowering occurs year-round." [E-flora]

Notes: "This regional endemic was considered extinct in BC and WA until recently (Douglas et al. 1998a, Washington Natural Heritage Program 1994). Two plants of this species were rediscovered in 2000 and subsequently destroyed by a winter storm that year (Douglas 2001). In May 2001 three plants reappeared at the same site." [E-flora]

Distinction: Corolla pink or purplish pink, tube 6-8 mm long; body of fruit is about as thick as the width of the winglike outgrowths [Kozloff PWO].

Ecology: Similar to A. latifolia, this species is viscid (sticky) and sand grains adhere to leaves and stems [Danin PDD]. It has been observed to have Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) associations [wang2006].

Habitat/Range: "Coastal sandy beaches below the driftwood zone in the lowland zone; rare on the W coast of Vancouver Island, known only from Ahousat and Pachena Bay (in 1915 and 1927, respectively) and more recently from Clo-oose Beach, Pacific Rim National Park; S to WA." [IFBC-E-flora]

Status: Native [E-flora]

Conservation History: "This regional endemic was considered extinct in BC and WA until recently (Douglas et al. 1998a). Two plants of this species were rediscovered in 2000 and subsequently destroyed by a winter storm that year (Douglas 2001). In May 2001 three plants reappeared at the same site. Recovery efforts are underway to reintroduce it within its historical range." [E-flora]

Ethnobotany of Related Species

While A. latifolia is the primary local species, other members of the genus have documented uses among Indigenous peoples of Western North America.

Abronia fragrans (Snowball Sand Verbena)

Navajo (Diné) Usage:

  • Name: K'íneetlíciitąa' ("Stinkbug food") [Elmore EON].
  • Food: "Roots ground, mixed with corn meal and eaten." [UMDEth]-1 [Elmore EON]. "Root - cooked(46). Dried then ground into a powder and mixed with corn(61, 105, 161)." [PFAF]
  • Medicine: "Spider medicine" (Na'actjé'i 'azee') used for "swallowing a spider" [Elmore EON]. Also used as a "cathartic, diaphoretic, emetic" and for "gastrointestinal disturbances, mouth ailments, skin ailments" [CRC Eth].
  • Specific Uses: "Plant used for insect bites. Plant used as a cathartic, sudorific, and emetic. Plant used for stomach cramps." [UMDEth]-2. "Cold infusion used as lotion for sores or sore mouth and to bathe perspiring feet." [UMDEth]-3
  • General: Ingredient in "Life Medicine" [Elmore EON]. "Use of the root was said by some North American Indian tribes to give one a good appetite and make them fat(257)." [PFAF].

Other Species

  • Abronia villosa (Desert Sand Verbena): Shoshone used a poultice of mashed roots to treat burns [CRC Eth]. "The plant is used to induce the flow of urine(257)." [PFAF].
  • Abronia elliptica: Hopi used it as a sedative for children's ailments [CRC Eth].
  • Abronia turbinata: Shoshone used it for skin ailments [CRC Eth]. "A poultice of the mashed leaves has been applied to swellings(257)." [PFAF].
  • Abronia maritima: Seri used it for placenta issues [CRC Eth].

References

Image References

Journals of Interest

Data Analytics

Source Material Depth

This graph represents the unique prevalence of "Abronia" within the Eflora local research library. Penetration indicates the percentage of total documents containing at least one of the search terms.

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13 / 943 vols
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3 / 1459 articles
Total Page Hits (Pages containing search term(s))
39 cumulative