Eriogonum clavatum
Hoover's desert trumpet
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Adam J. Searcy · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Eriogonum clavatum (Hoover's desert trumpet) is a native California annual in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by distinctive inflated stems make identification straightforward.
Hoover's desert trumpet is a California native annual found in coastal western, southwestern, southern eastern Sierra Nevada, and desert bioregions on clay soils at elevations of 400 to 1,100 meters. Flowering throughout the year, this plant produces yellow flowers approximately 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters long with narrowly ovate perianth lobes. Growing 20 to 180 centimeters tall with inflated stems that are glabrous but somewhat hairy and glandular at the base, it develops distinctive spreading branches. Its basal leaves are round to kidney-shaped, 1 to 2.5 centimeters long, covered in coarse hairs and measuring up to 3 centimeters wide. The fruit is smooth and 2 to 2.5 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 138 sympatric species; distinctive inflated stems make identification straightforward
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Clay
Elevation: 400-1100 m
California counties: Kern, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Riverside, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Fresno, Monterey, Inyo, San Diego
Outside California: to southern Nevada, northern Baja California
Bloom period
Eriogonum clavatum blooms All year.
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 clavatum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum clavatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum clavatum bloom?
Eriogonum clavatum blooms All year.
Where in California does Eriogonum clavatum grow?
Eriogonum clavatum occurs in Kern, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Riverside, San Benito, Santa Cruz and other counties, at elevations of 400-1100 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum clavatum belong to?
Eriogonum clavatum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum clavatum grow in?
Eriogonum clavatum grows in Common. Clay.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.