Eriogonum apiculatum
San jacinto wild buckwheat
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriogonum apiculatum (San jacinto wild buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by sharp-tipped petals and very small involucres (1.2-1.5mm) with 4 teeth.
San jacinto wild buckwheat is a California native annual found in the eastern San Bernardino Mountains, central and western Peninsular Ranges including Santa Rosa, Palomar, and Cuyamaca Mountains, and southwestern desert mountains at elevations of 700 to 2,700 meters in sandy habitats. Flowering from May to November, this plant produces white to reddish flowers with distinctive sharp-tipped perianth lobes. Growing with slender stems 2 to 9 decimeters tall, it develops an open, spreading inflorescence up to 80 centimeters wide. Its basal leaves are hairy, measuring 1 to 4 centimeters long and 0.5 to 1.5 centimeters wide, with some glandular surfaces. The small fruits are glabrous and measure 1.3 to 1.7 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 50 species; distinguished by sharp-tipped petals and very small involucres (1.2-1.5mm) with 4 teeth
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: (200)700-2700 m
California counties: Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Tulare
Bloom period
Eriogonum apiculatum blooms May-Nov.
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 apiculatum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum apiculatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum apiculatum bloom?
Eriogonum apiculatum blooms May-Nov.
Where in California does Eriogonum apiculatum grow?
Eriogonum apiculatum occurs in Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Tulare, at elevations of (200)700-2700 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum apiculatum belong to?
Eriogonum apiculatum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum apiculatum grow in?
Eriogonum apiculatum grows in 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.