Eriogonum bifurcatum
Forked buckwheat
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Eriogonum bifurcatum (Forked buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by dimorphic perianth lobes (outer cordate, inner lanceolate) and forked branching pattern.
Forked buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern Inyo and northeastern San Bernardino counties in sandy desert habitats at elevations of 600 to 800 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white to faintly pink flowers in delicate, spreading inflorescences up to 50 centimeters wide. Growing with slender stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, the plant has a low, spreading growth habit. Its basal leaves are nearly round, 1 to 3 centimeters long, and covered in a dense woolly tomentose texture. The small white flowers are distinctively shaped, with outer perianth lobes that are obovate to heart-shaped and inner lobes that are lance-like.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 57 species; key features are dimorphic perianth lobes (outer cordate, inner lanceolate) and forked branching pattern
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 600-800 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino
Outside California: southern Nevada
Bloom period
Eriogonum bifurcatum blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 bifurcatum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum bifurcatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum bifurcatum bloom?
Eriogonum bifurcatum blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Eriogonum bifurcatum grow?
Eriogonum bifurcatum occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, at elevations of 600-800 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum bifurcatum belong to?
Eriogonum bifurcatum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum bifurcatum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum bifurcatum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum brachyanthum — Short-flower wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum brachypodum — Parry's wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum breedlovei — Piute buckwheat
- Eriogonum breedlovei var. breedlovei — Breedlove's buckwheat
- Eriogonum breedlovei var. shevockii — The needles buckwheat
- Eriogonum butterworthianum — Butterworth's 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.