Abronia (plant)

Taxobox
name = "Abronia"


image_width = 240px
image_caption = Yellow Sand Verbena ("Abronia latifolia")
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Caryophyllales
familia = Nyctaginaceae
genus = "Abronia"
genus_authority = Juss.
subdivision_ranks = species
subdivision = See text

"Abronia", the sand-verbenas or wild lantanas, is a genus of about 20 species of annual or perennial herbaceous plants in the family Nyctaginaceae. Despite the common names, they are not related to "Verbena" (vervains) or lantanas in the family Verbenaceae. They are closely allied with Tripterocalyx (Nyctaginaceae).

They are native to western North America, from Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada, south to west Texas, California, Baja California and central Mexico, growing on dry sandy soils. "Abronia macrocarpa", a Texas endemic, is protected under the Endangered Species Act. Only a few species are widespread, and many are quite rare. They make very attractive garden plants for hot, dry sandy sites.

;Selected species
*"Abronia alpina"
*"Abronia ameliae"
*"Abronia ammophila"
*"Abronia angustifolia"
*"Abronia argillosa"
*"Abronia bigelovii"
*"Abronia bolackii"
*"Abronia carletonii"
*"Abronia cycloptera"
*"Abronia elliptica"
*"Abronia fragrans"
*"Abronia latifolia"
*"Abronia macrocarpa"
*"Abronia maritima"
*"Abronia mellifera"
*"Abronia nana"
*"Abronia pogonantha"
*"Abronia turbinata"
*"Abronia umbellata"
*"Abronia villosa"

Cultivation and uses

The stout, sweet root of "Abronia fragrans" and "Abronia latifolia", sometimes over 60 cm long, can be eaten as a root vegetable.

References and external links

* Galloway, LA. 1976. Systematics of the North American desert species of "Abronia" and "Tripterocalyx" (Nyctaginaceae). "Brittonia" 27 (4): 328-347 (1975 publ. 1976)
* [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=100040 Flora of North America: "Abronia"]