Eriogonum ampullaceum
Mono wild buckwheat, Mono Wild Buckwheat
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriogonum ampullaceum (Mono wild buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by very small flowers (1-1.5mm) and delicate branching pattern in sandy Great Basin habitats.
Mono wild buckwheat is a California native annual found in northern Sierra Nevada Eastern Sierra at elevations of 1,700 to 2,200 meters in sandy habitats. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces cream to reddish flowers in small clusters approximately 1 to 1.5 millimeters long. Growing 10 to 30 centimeters tall with glabrous stems, it develops delicate branching structures up to 25 centimeters wide. Its basal leaves are distinctive, roughly round and generally covered in dense tomentose (woolly) hairs, measuring 0.5 to 2 centimeters across. The plant's small, glabrous fruits complement its subtle but elegant form.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 50 species; distinguished by very small flowers (1-1.5mm) and delicate branching pattern in sandy Great Basin habitats
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Sand
Elevation: 1700-2200 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo, Kern
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Eriogonum ampullaceum blooms Jul-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Adenostoma: Eriogonum has flowers in cup-like involucres; Adenostoma has tiny white rose-family flowers in spikes.; vs Salvia: Eriogonum has six similar perianth parts; Salvia has two-lipped tubular flowers.; vs Fagopyrum: Eriogonum has flowers in involucred clusters; Fagopyrum has loose branching sprays without involucres.; vs Artemisia: Eriogonum has cup-surrounded flower clusters; Artemisia has tiny inconspicuous heads in drooping sprays.; vs Chorizanthe: Eriogonum has multiple flowers per involucre; Chorizanthe has one flower per involucre with spiny teeth.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eriogonum ampullaceum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum ampullaceum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum ampullaceum bloom?
Eriogonum ampullaceum blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum ampullaceum grow?
Eriogonum ampullaceum occurs in Mono, Inyo, Kern, at elevations of 1700-2200 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum ampullaceum belong to?
Eriogonum ampullaceum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum ampullaceum grow in?
Eriogonum ampullaceum grows in Uncommon. Sand.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.