Pink Sand-verbena / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Pink Sand-verbena (Abronia umbellata ssp. breviflora)

Close-up view of the flowers and succulent leaves of Abronia umbellata ssp. breviflora. Photo Credit: Tom Kaye
  • Global Rank: T2 - Imperiled
  • Legal Status: N/A
  • Family: Nyctaginaceae
  • State: BC, CA, OR, WA
  • Nature Serve ID: 158927
  • Lifeform: Forb/herb, Vine
  • Date Inducted in National Collection: 03/14/1986
Description:

Due to an ironic twist of fate, pink sandverbena was the first North American plant collected and described from west of the Mississippi. Pink sandverbena seeds were first collected at Monterey Bay, CA on a 1786 scientific expedition. The collector, Jean-Nicolas Collignon, was subsequently lost at sea with his ship. The seeds, however, had been sent back Paris on another ship, where they were grown in the Jardin des Plantes and named. Without active conservation efforts, pink sandverbena's ultimate fate may be as grim as that of the man who discovered it. Abronia umbellata ssp. breviflora was once found all along the Pacific coast, from northern California to British Columbia. Today it is limited to a few populations in northern California and Oregon. Long thought extinct in both Washington and British Columbia, two individuals were recently found on Vancouver Island that may be this species. Habitat destruction caused by human activity and exotic plant invasion does not solely impact this sandy beach dwelling species. The plight of the endangered western snowy plover (a native bird) appears correlated with the state of pink sandverbena. Both of these species require open sandy beaches, and evidence suggests that the snowy plover uses this sandverbena for forage and cover. It follows that efforts to conserve either of these species will be most effective if coordinated with each other. In 2000, two plants were found on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. The debate continues as to whether they are A. umbellata ssp. breviflora or a separate taxon, A. umbellata ssp. acutalata. If they are A. umbellata ssp. breviflora, then the range truly extends from northern California to Canada. If, however, they are identified as A. umbellata ssp. acutalata, two points become apparent: 1) there are only TWO remaining INDIVIDUALS of A. umbellata ssp. acutalata in the entire world and 2) the range of A. umbellata ssp. breviflora has been reduced to include only northern California and Oregon.

Where is Pink Sand-verbena (Abronia umbellata ssp. breviflora) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Pink sandverbena inhabits open sandy beaches, typically at or below the zone of driftwood accumulation and away from sand dominated by introduced European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria) (Kaye 1997a, Kaye et al 1998).

Distribution:

Historically along Pacific Coast beaches from northern California to British Columbia. Presently extinct in Washington, and there is the possibility that only one population composed of two individua

States & Provinces:

Pink Sand-verbena can be found in British Columbia, California, Oregon, Washington

Which CPC Partners conserve Pink Sand-verbena (Abronia umbellata ssp. breviflora)?

CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

Conservation Actions

Katie Heineman
  • 12/22/2021
  • Orthodox Seed Banking

In September 2021, NLGRP initiated germination testing and RNA extraction from seeds newly collected by the Institute for Applied Ecology in 2021 to compare with seed from the same population held in long term storage at Rae Selling Berry Seed Bank. This comparison is part of CPC's IMLS funded initiative to determine seed storage longevity in wild rare plant species.

Center for Plant Conservation
  • 12/03/2021
  • Reintroduction

Pink sand-verbena fruits were scattered in Feb or March into 19 locations along the Oregon coast. The earliest attempt was done in 1995. Some sites have had multiple infusions of 5000 to 100,000 seeds. Seeding was often successful in establishing the species the year of seed addition, but these populations did not usually persist in subsequent years without continued seed additions and beachgrass control. The success of seeding is increased with a greater number of seeds. Success of seeding may be related to habitat quality and susceptibility to scouring effects of winter storms. Long term persistence may depend on the development and maintenance of a long-lived persistent seedbank.

Center for Plant Conservation
  • 12/03/2021
  • Reintroduction

Since the late 1970s, ten natural populations of pink sand-verbena in Oregon have dwindled to five. The primary threats are competition by Europeran beach grass and habitat disturbance by off road vehicles. At 15 sites along the Oregon coast from 1997-2008, introductions of seeds and whole plants have been conducted. At 12 sites, repeated seedings of 50,000 seeds have been done; at 4 sites both seeding and transplanting have been combined. Seeding treatments entail scattering fruits in Feb or Mar of each year along the beach. Maximum germination of 3.44% occurred in 1997 at Coos Bay spit, wheras 0% germination occurred that year at Bastendorff or Coos Bay beach. For transplants, the greatest survival from spring to summer was 77% at Tahkenitch in 2001. Overall, populations appeared relatively small during the 2008 surveys. There was little precipitation in March 2008 and this was followed by a relatively cool summer. Climatic conditions may have suppressed germination and growth and patterns observed in 2008 may not be good indicators of habitat sustainability.

Center for Plant Conservation
  • 08/16/2021
  • Orthodox Seed Banking

In 2021, CPC contracted the Institute for Applied Ecology to recollect seed from a population currently held in long term orthodox seed storage as part of an IMLS-funded seed longevity experiment. The National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation will evaluate how germination tested viability and RNA Integrity of seed lots decline over time in storage.t?

  • 09/01/2020
  • Orthodox Seed Banking

Based on an September 2020 extract of the California Plant Rescue Database, California Botanic Garden holds 1 accessions of Abronia umbellata var. breviflora in orthodox seed collection. There are as many as 109 seeds of this species in their collection - although some may have been used for curation testing or sent to back up.

  • 07/31/2020
  • Genetic Research

Genetics: Eleven natural and four reintroduced A. umbellata ssp. breviflora populations (232 individual plants total) were sampled and genetically analyzed using Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) screening. Most populations had relatively high levels of genetic diversity with heterozygosity ranging from 0.13 to 0.26 and means of 0.19 and 0.15 for natural and reintroduced populations, respectively. The two largest reintroduced populations had levels of diversity comparable to the source population, while the other two reintroduced populations were genetically impoverished (McGlaughlin 2000).

  • 07/31/2020
  • Demographic Research

Population dynamics: Propagation observations determined that the majority of individuals are annuals, but a small amount (3%) continued to grow the following year into large plants and produce several thousand seeds (Kaye and Greenlee, 1995). Second year plants often produce more seeds than first year, and therefore may be especially important in re-introduction efforts (Kaye et al, 1998). Low density transplants grow larger in the first year than high density plantings, and mortality is unaffected by density (Kaye 1999). Natural population sizes vary widely over time and space. The total number of tagged plants surviving to reproduce varied from 3.9 - 30.5 % between years. The average plant size varied from 3.7 inches (9.4 cm) to 20.9 inches (53.0 cm). Inflorescence number varied from one to 153 (Kaye 1999). Persistence (competition/disturbance): A study was conducted in which seedlings were transplanted onto dredged sand and old sand with and without fertilizer added. Some plots were weeded and others were not. Fertilizer has a stronger positive effect in fresh (dredged) sand, while weeding helped more on older substrates. While fertilizer addition caused a significant difference in flowering on fresh sand, the improvement was relatively small. In general, fresh sand provided the most favorable conditions for pink sandverbena growth (Kaye 1999). On coastal sand dunes, plants increase in abundance and diversity (species richness) as time since dredged-sand deposition increases (Kaye 1999). Pink sandverbena tends to decline with substrate age, especially after 3 years (Kaye 1999) Transplants and plants from field-sown seed can reproduce and recruit substantial numbers of seedlings the following year (Kaye 1999). Even with initial success with plant establishment from seed, long term population establishment is difficult to achieve. By the second year following reintroduction efforts, no plants were present at four re-established sites and only one or two plants were present at three other sites (Kaye 2000). One re-established population has done remarkably well. More than 1700 plants were established in 1997, and 411 plants germinated the following year. In 1999, more than 50,000 plants had established and in 2000 the population consisted 33,916 plants in the monitored area plus an additional 15,000 plants throughout the rest of the spit (Kaye 2000).

  • 07/31/2020
  • Reintroduction

Establishment: The seedling establishment rate using 50,000 seeds scattered in the sand per site, while low in absolute terms, was substantially greater than attempts with 5,000 seeds per site (0.54% establishment rate as opposed to 0.017%) (Kaye 2000). Plants were very successful on dredged sand brought up and deposited on the beach. The nutrient-rich sand smothered the previously dominant European beachgrass (Amophila arenaria), thereby creating suitable habitat for the pink sandverbena (Kaye and Greenlee, 1995). Transplanted individuals placed singly, or in clusters of three or six are equally capable of growth, flower production and seedling production the following year. They often grow larger than plants from the wild. Transplanting wild seedlings in the fall failed to produce vigorous plants (Kaye et al. 1998).

  • 07/31/2020
  • Propagation Research

Seed germination/propagation: Propagation research determined that plants do not form adventitious roots, suggesting that stem cuttings would not be successful. Seed germination and transplanting techniques should be focus for reintroduction techniques (Kaye and Greenlee, 1995). Seeds germinate best with the fruit husk removed (Kaye, 1999) Some seed lots require cold pre-treatment, while others may not. Germination requirements for this species differ from year to year, possibly due to annual variation in environmental conditions during maturation and while fruits are on the ground, prior to collection (Kaye, 1999). Field propagation studies indicate that 30% of seeds sown between the surface and 1 inch (3 cm) deep in the sand germinate and establish as seedlings, while none buried 4 inches (10 cm) deep germinate and establish. Results indicate that scattering seeds on the surface or lightly raking them in is the best technique. Seeds are much easier to sow than plants are to transplant, so larger numbers of pink sandverbena plants can potentially be introduced, possibly outweighing the predictability of transplants (Kaye et al 1998, Kaye 1999). Germination trials conducted at The Berry Botanic Garden resulted in 0% germination with 8 weeks of cold stratification followed by alternating 50F/68F (10/20C) treatment, but 17% under 8 weeks of cold stratification followed by constant 68F (20C). Without cold stratification, 20% germination was achieved with either a constant 68F (20C) or alternating 50F/68F (10/20C) temperatures (BBG File).

Nature Serve Biotics
  • 05/02/2017

Known only from Pacific Coast beaches from northern California to Vancouver Island. Most occurrences are in northern California with only a few in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Non-native plant invasion, off-road vehicle activity, and recreational use are threats.

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.
  • 01/01/2010

Trampling and loss of habitat due to off-road vehicle use (Grenier 1991). Stabilization of dunes by European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria) (Grenier 1991).

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.
  • 01/01/2010

As of 2000: extinct in WA; known to occur OR and CA. In 2000, a small population of two individuals was discovered on Vancouver Island (Kaye 2000). Approximately 41 sites in California are listed as ""presumed extant"" by the California Natural Diversity Database (2001). Approximately six populations have been observed in Oregon since the mid-1980s (ONHP Database, 2000). Despite these seemingly high numbers, populations tend to move about and this is not likely an accurate snapshot of things as they currently are. Populations are often very small (one or two individuals).

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.
  • 01/01/2010

Seed germination/propagation: Propagation research determined that plants do not form adventitious roots, suggesting that stem cuttings would not be successful. Seed germination and transplanting techniques should be focus for reintroduction techniques (Kaye and Greenlee, 1995). Seeds germinate best with the fruit husk removed (Kaye, 1999) Some seed lots require cold pre-treatment, while others may not. Germination requirements for this species differ from year to year, possibly due to annual variation in environmental conditions during maturation and while fruits are on the ground, prior to collection (Kaye, 1999). Field propagation studies indicate that 30% of seeds sown between the surface and 1 inch (3 cm) deep in the sand germinate and establish as seedlings, while none buried 4 inches (10 cm) deep germinate and establish. Results indicate that scattering seeds on the surface or lightly raking them in is the best technique. Seeds are much easier to sow than plants are to transplant, so larger numbers of pink sandverbena plants can potentially be introduced, possibly outweighing the predictability of transplants (Kaye et al 1998, Kaye 1999). Germination trials conducted at The Berry Botanic Garden resulted in 0% germination with 8 weeks of cold stratification followed by alternating 50F/68F (10/20C) treatment, but 17% under 8 weeks of cold stratification followed by constant 68F (20C). Without cold stratification, 20% germination was achieved with either a constant 68F (20C) or alternating 50F/68F (10/20C) temperatures (BBG File). Establishment: The seedling establishment rate using 50,000 seeds scattered in the sand per site, while low in absolute terms, was substantially greater than attempts with 5,000 seeds per site (0.54% establishment rate as opposed to 0.017%) (Kaye 2000). Plants were very successful on dredged sand brought up and deposited on the beach. The nutrient-rich sand smothered the previously dominant European beachgrass (Amophila arenaria), thereby creating suitable habitat for the pink sandverbena (Kaye and Greenlee, 1995). Transplanted individuals placed singly, or in clusters of three or six are equally capable of growth, flower production and seedling production the following year. They often grow larger than plants from the wild. Transplanting wild seedlings in the fall failed to produce vigorous plants (Kaye et al. 1998). Population dynamics: Propagation observations determined that the majority of individuals are annuals, but a small amount (3%) continued to grow the following year into large plants and produce several thousand seeds (Kaye and Greenlee, 1995). Second year plants often produce more seeds than first year, and therefore may be especially important in re-introduction efforts (Kaye et al, 1998). Low density transplants grow larger in the first year than high density plantings, and mortality is unaffected by density (Kaye 1999). Natural population sizes vary widely over time and space. The total number of tagged plants surviving to reproduce varied from 3.9 - 30.5 % between years. The average plant size varied from 3.7 inches (9.4 cm) to 20.9 inches (53.0 cm). Inflorescence number varied from one to 153 (Kaye 1999). Persistence (competition/disturbance): A study was conducted in which seedlings were transplanted onto dredged sand and old sand with and without fertilizer added. Some plots were weeded and others were not. Fertilizer has a stronger positive effect in fresh (dredged) sand, while weeding helped more on older substrates. While fertilizer addition caused a significant difference in flowering on fresh sand, the improvement was relatively small. In general, fresh sand provided the most favorable conditions for pink sandverbena growth (Kaye 1999). On coastal sand dunes, plants increase in abundance and diversity (species richness) as time since dredged-sand deposition increases (Kaye 1999). Pink sandverbena tends to decline with substrate age, especially after 3 years (Kaye 1999) Transplants and plants from field-sown seed can reproduce and recruit substantial numbers of seedlings the following year (Kaye 1999). Even with initial success with plant establishment from seed, long term population establishment is difficult to achieve. By the second year following reintroduction efforts, no plants were present at four re-established sites and only one or two plants were present at three other sites (Kaye 2000). One re-established population has done remarkably well. More than 1700 plants were established in 1997, and 411 plants germinated the following year. In 1999, more than 50,000 plants had established and in 2000 the population consisted 33,916 plants in the monitored area plus an additional 15,000 plants throughout the rest of the spit (Kaye 2000). Genetics: Eleven natural and four reintroduced A. umbellata ssp. breviflora populations (232 individual plants total) were sampled and genetically analyzed using Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) screening. Most populations had relatively high levels of genetic diversity with heterozygosity ranging from 0.13 to 0.26 and means of 0.19 and 0.15 for natural and reintroduced populations, respectively. The two largest reintroduced populations had levels of diversity comparable to the source population, while the other two reintroduced populations were genetically impoverished (McGlaughlin 2000).

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.
  • 01/01/2010

Listed as Endangered by Oregon Department of Agriculture. Restricted recreation and vehicle use of dunes at various sites. One existing pink sandverbena population was protected from burial by sand dredged from a nearby harbor by moving material down the beach away from the population. In each subsequent dredging, sand has been placed in a new section of the beach without damaging existing or re-introduced populations. Addition of dredged sand has created new pink sandverbena habitat by burying European beachgrass (Kaye 1999). A 2000 reintroduction through transplanting averaged 44% survival rate in the first year, however offspring from transplants were uncommon one year after the reintroduction effort (Kaye 2000). Plants that grow close to shore (on the upper beach) were more likely to thrive short-term, but plants in the foredune were more likely to survive fall and winter storms. Competition from dune grasses in the foredune, however, can be detrimental to pink sandverbena growth. A strategy that places transplants among both habitats may improve over-all success (Kaye 2000). Seed from 3 Oregon populations are currently banked at The Berry Botanic Garden.

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.
  • 01/01/2010

Develop comprehensive recovery plan (Kaye 1997a, 2000). List as threatened in CA, and British Columbia (Vrilakas 1988). Restrict access to population areas (Vrilakas 1988). Remove Ammophila arenaria (European beachgrass) or control with rock salt, herbicide, manual pulling and fire (Vrilakas 1988). Continue research on reintroduction through seeding at a higher level (50,000-100,000 seeds instead of 5,000), as it is less time- and resource-consuming than transplantation (Kaye 1997a). Study hybridization between Abronia umbellata ssp. breviflora and A. umbellata ssp. umbellata (Vrilakas 1988). Utilize computer models based on natural population dynamics, population establishment success, and interactions between populations and unoccupied suitable habitat to simulate population dynamics and to determine the viability of actual individual populations (Kaye 2000). Utilize computer programming to model meta-populations and determine the chance of extinction over time (Kaye 2000).

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.
  • 01/01/2010

Collect and store more seeds from across the species' range, especially the British Columbia population.

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Andre Clemente 03/20/2020

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Nomenclature
Taxon Abronia umbellata ssp. breviflora
Authority (Standl.) Munz
Family Nyctaginaceae
CPC Number 9
ITIS 19575
USDA ABUMB
Duration Perennial
Common Names pink sand verbena | pink sand-verbena
Associated Scientific Names Abronia umbellata ssp. breviflora | Abronia umbellata ssp. acutalata | Abronia umbellata var. breviflora | Abronia acutalata | Abronia breviflora | Abronia umbellata var. acutalata
Distribution Historically along Pacific Coast beaches from northern California to British Columbia. Presently extinct in Washington, and there is the possibility that only one population composed of two individua
State Rank
State State Rank
British Columbia S1
California SNR
Oregon S1
Washington SNR
Ecological Relationships

Photos
Newsletters
Pollinators
Common Name Name in Text Association Type Source InteractionID
Bees
Honey bees Apis mellifera Floral Visitor Link
Bumble bees Bombus pennsylvanicus Floral Visitor Link
Butterflies & Moths
Skippers Hesperiidae Confirmed Pollinator Link
Noctuid moths Noctuidae Confirmed Pollinator Link
Sphinx moths Sphingidae Confirmed Pollinator Link
Flies
Syrphid flies Syrphid flies Confirmed Pollinator Link
Reintroduction
Lead Institution State Reintroduction Type Year of First Outplanting
Institute for Applied Ecology - Oregon Oregon Reintroduction 1995
Institute for Applied Ecology - Oregon Oregon Reintroduction 1996
Institute for Applied Ecology - Oregon Oregon Reinforcement 1997
Institute for Applied Ecology - Oregon Oregon Reintroduction 1997
Institute for Applied Ecology - Oregon Oregon Reintroduction 1997
Institute for Applied Ecology - Oregon Oregon Reinforcement 2000

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