Eriogonum cernuum
Nodding wild buckwheat
(c) Patty Mitchum, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Patty Mitchum · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriogonum cernuum (Nodding wild buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by fiddle-shaped outer perianth lobes and nodding/reflexed peduncles.
Nodding wild buckwheat is a California native annual found in northern and central Sierra Nevada Mountains, eastern Sierra Nevada slope, and Great Basin regions in sandy habitats at elevations of 600 to 3,100 meters. Flowering from April to October, this plant produces white to pink or rose-colored flowers in delicate clusters with distinctive fiddle-shaped outer perianth lobes. Growing 0.5 to 6 decimeters tall with slender glabrous stems, it forms a compact annual structure. Its basal leaves are approximately round, typically one to two centimeters long and covered in a soft tomentose surface. The fruit is small, about 1.5 to 2 millimeters long and completely glabrous.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 102 species; distinguished by fiddle-shaped outer perianth lobes and nodding/reflexed peduncles
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Sand
Elevation: 600-3100 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo, Lassen, Nevada, San Diego, Kern, San Bernardino
Outside California: to Washington, western and central Canada, South Dakota, New Mexico
Bloom period
Eriogonum cernuum blooms Apr-Oct.
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 cernuum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum cernuum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum cernuum bloom?
Eriogonum cernuum blooms Apr-Oct.
Where in California does Eriogonum cernuum grow?
Eriogonum cernuum occurs in Mono, Inyo, Lassen, Nevada, San Diego, Kern, San Bernardino, at elevations of 600-3100 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum cernuum belong to?
Eriogonum cernuum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum cernuum grow in?
Eriogonum cernuum 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.