Desert Sand-Verbena, Abronia villosa

Photo of the pink flowers of Sand Verbena on a sand bank near Coyote Creek
The pink flowers of Sand Verbena

In Spring and into summer, desert sand-verbena is commonly seen in sandy soil beside streets in Borrego Springs and along roads outside of town.

A member of the Four O'clock Family, desert sand-verbena is a trailing plant. It is more likely to grow sideways along the ground than straight up.

The clusters of purplish flowers are about the size of a golf ball and fragrant, although you may have to get down on your hands and knees to get close enough to detect the gentle aroma.

Photo of the pink flowers of Sand Verbena