Eriogonum apricum var. apricum
Ione buckwheat
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Eriogonum apricum var. apricum (Ione buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by erect stems vs. prostrate var. prostratum, extremely limited range on Amador County clay.
Ione buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Foothills in western Amador County's clay habitats at elevations of 80 to 200 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces delicate white flowers clustered in distinctive inflorescences. Growing with erect to slightly spreading stems, it forms compact clusters reaching approximately 30 to 50 centimeters tall. Its leaves are small and clustered near the base of the plant, forming dense rosettes that help the plant survive in harsh clay environments. The plant's adaptation to clay soils and its extremely limited geographic range make it a unique and vulnerable species in California's botanical landscape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 41 species; distinguished by erect stems vs. prostrate var. prostratum, extremely limited range on Amador County clay
Habitat and range
Habitat: Clay
Elevation: 80-200 m
California counties: Amador
Bloom period
Eriogonum apricum var. apricum blooms Jun-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
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 apricum var. apricum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum apricum var. apricum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum apricum var. apricum bloom?
Eriogonum apricum var. apricum blooms Jun-Oct.
Where in California does Eriogonum apricum var. apricum grow?
Eriogonum apricum var. apricum occurs in Amador, at elevations of 80-200 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum apricum var. apricum belong to?
Eriogonum apricum var. apricum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum apricum var. apricum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum apricum var. apricum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum apricum var. prostratum — Irish hill buckwheat
- Eriogonum arborescens — Santa cruz island wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum argillosum — Clay buckwheat
- Eriogonum baileyi — Bailey buckwheat
- Eriogonum baileyi var. baileyi — Bailey's wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum baileyi var. praebens — Bailey's woolly buckwheat
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.