Eriogonum apricum var. prostratum
Irish hill buckwheat, Irish Hill 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. prostratum (Irish hill buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by distinguished solely by prostrate vs. erect growth habit from var. apricum in same limited range.
Irish hill buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in western Amador County in the northern Sierra Nevada Foothills in clay habitats at elevations of 90 to 200 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces white flowers in distinctive clusters. Growing with prostrate stems that spread close to the ground, it forms low-growing mats across its clay terrain. Its leaves are arranged to support the plant's compact, ground-hugging structure, helping it thrive in challenging clay environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 41 species; distinguished solely by prostrate vs. erect growth habit from var. apricum in same limited range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Clay
Elevation: 90-200 m
California counties: Amador
Bloom period
Eriogonum apricum var. prostratum blooms Jun-Sep.
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. prostratum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum apricum var. prostratum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum apricum var. prostratum bloom?
Eriogonum apricum var. prostratum blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum apricum var. prostratum grow?
Eriogonum apricum var. prostratum occurs in Amador, at elevations of 90-200 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum apricum var. prostratum belong to?
Eriogonum apricum var. prostratum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum apricum var. prostratum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum apricum var. prostratum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.