Eriogonum cinereum

Coastal wild buckwheat, Coastal Wild Buckwheat

Family: Polygonaceae · Type: shrub · Native

Coastal wild buckwheat is a California native shrub found in southern Central Coast, western Southern Coast, and northern Channel Islands bioregions, particularly on Santa Rosa Island, inhabiting sandy areas at elevations below 400 meters. Flowering throughout the year, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers in compact heads 1 to 2.5 centimeters wide. Growing 6 to 15 decimeters tall with a spread of 10 to 20 decimeters, it develops hairy stems and a distinctive growth form. Its cauline leaves are white-tomentose, measuring 1.5 to 3 centimeters long and 1 to 2.5 centimeters wide, with a soft, woolly appearance. The tiny flowers feature spoon-shaped to narrowly obovate perianth lobes, creating a delicate and textured visual presence in its sandy coastal habitat.

Habitat: Uncommon. Sand

Bloom period: All year

Elevation: < 400 m

Bioregions: s CCo, w SCo, n ChI (Santa Rosa Island) widely cult, occasionally established CW, SW.

California counties: Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Orange, Marin, San Diego

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.