Because of late summer rains, sand verbena now lines roadsides, and golden chinchweed carpets the desert here and there.

The fore dunes begin at the high tide line, where only low growing plants with deep root systems (such as sand verbena) can live.

Abronia umbellata (Pink sand verbena) is a flowering perennial plant native to the western United States.

"I saw sand verbena in the Mojave that was four inches tall, completely covered up by four-foot mustard and Russian thistle."

Abronia maritima is a species of sand verbena known by the common name red sand verbena.

This sand verbena forms a green mat along the ground, its stems sometimes buried under loose sand.

Abronia mellifera is a species of sand verbena known by the common name white sand verbena.

It is closely related to species usually found in much warmer climates, making the sand verbena an enigma.

Wildflowers such as globemallow, marigold, and sand verbena dot the route in springtime.

And there is always the possibility of a fall bloom; during one December visit I happened to see purple sand verbena and yellow brittlebush in flower.