Eriogonum contiguum
Reveal's buckwheat
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Eriogonum contiguum (Reveal's buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family.
Reveal's buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native annual found in the eastern Mojave Desert in Inyo and San Bernardino counties on sandy habitats at elevations of 20 to 900 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces yellow to reddish flowers in delicate, slender inflorescences 5 to 18 centimeters long. Growing 0.5 to 3 decimeters tall with glabrous stems that are glandular at the base, it emerges from the sandy ground with distinctive characteristics. Its basal leaves are approximately round, 0.5 to 1 centimeter long, and covered in coarse hairs. The tiny flowers, measuring 1 to 2.5 millimeters, are nestled in small involucres with (4)5 delicate teeth.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated - no sympatric species in resolved range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 20-900 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, San Diego
Outside California: southwestern Nevada
Bloom period
Eriogonum contiguum blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 contiguum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum contiguum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum contiguum bloom?
Eriogonum contiguum blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Eriogonum contiguum grow?
Eriogonum contiguum occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, San Diego, at elevations of 20-900 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum contiguum belong to?
Eriogonum contiguum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum contiguum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum contiguum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
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.