Eriogonum collinum
Hill buckwheat
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Eriogonum collinum (Hill buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by large involucres and curving peduncles are key features.
Hill buckwheat is a California native annual found in the Modoc Plateau in sandy habitats at elevations of 1,300 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to November, this plant produces white to pale yellow flowers in delicate clusters with small, bumpy blooms. Growing with slender stems 10 to 50 centimeters tall that are generally glabrous, it spreads with an open, branching structure. Its basal leaves are approximately round, typically 1 to 2.5 centimeters long, with woolly undersides and smooth upper surfaces. The fruit is smooth and approximately 2 to 2.5 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 45 sympatric species; large involucres and curving peduncles are key features
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 1300-2000 m
California counties: Lassen, Modoc, Siskiyou
Outside California: to northwestern Nevada, south-central Oregon
Bloom period
Eriogonum collinum blooms May-Nov.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 collinum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum collinum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum collinum bloom?
Eriogonum collinum blooms May-Nov.
Where in California does Eriogonum collinum grow?
Eriogonum collinum occurs in Lassen, Modoc, Siskiyou, at elevations of 1300-2000 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum collinum belong to?
Eriogonum collinum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum collinum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum collinum carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
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.