General: Coville's Dwarf Sand Verbena (Abronia nana var. covillei) is a low-growing, perennial forb with oblong leaves and white, tubular flowers that grow in a cluster atop a stalk. The flower buds are purple, giving the inflorescence a white-purple appearance.

Coville's Dwarf Sand Verbena is an uncommon component of the desert vegetation communities in montane habitats in the Yellow Pine (Transition), Pine-Fir (Canadian), and Bristlecone (Hudsonian) life zones. Look for this species up on Mt. Charleston.

Family: Four O'Clock (Nyctaginaceae).

Plant Form: Low growing.

Height: To about 3 inches.

Stems: Slightly reddish.

Leaves: Oblong, slightly hairy.

Flowers: Tubular, petals 5, white.

Habitat: Open sandy and rocky areas in the desert mountains.

Elevation: About 6,000 to 10,000 feet.

Distribution: Desert mountains of California and Nevada.

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