Eriogonum crocatum

Conejo buckwheat

Family: Polygonaceae · Type: shrub · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2

Conejo buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in the southern Western Transverse Ranges, specifically in the northwestern Santa Monica Mountains of Ventura County, on volcanic landscapes at elevations of 60 to 150 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces bright yellow flowers in dense clusters 3 to 8 centimeters wide, with distinctive narrow oblong petals. Growing as a compact subshrub 3 to 5 decimeters tall with a spread of 5 to 10 decimeters, it features densely tomentose (woolly) stems and branches. Its cauline leaves are grayish and densely woolly, measuring 1 to 3 centimeters long and 0.8 to 2.5 centimeters wide, creating a soft, textured appearance. The fruit is small and glabrous, measuring 2.5 to 3 millimeters in length.

Habitat: Volcanics

Bloom period: Apr-Jul

Elevation: 60-150 m

Bioregions: s WTR (nw Santa Monica Mtns, Ventura Co.).

California counties: Ventura, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Orange, Yolo

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