Eriogonum dasyanthemum
Chaparral wild buckwheat
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriogonum dasyanthemum (Chaparral wild buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family.
Chaparral wild buckwheat is a native annual found in central and northern California Coast Ranges in sandy habitats at elevations of 50 to 1,400 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces white to rose-colored flowers in small clusters approximately 4 millimeters wide. Growing with erect stems 20 to 60 centimeters tall that are softly hairy (tomentose), it has a delicate, sprawling form. Its round basal leaves are 1 to 2 centimeters wide, densely hairy on the underside and sparsely hairy or nearly smooth on the upper surface. The fruit is small, about 1.5 to 2 millimeters long with a slightly rough tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated - no sympatric species in resolved range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Sand
Elevation: 50-1400 m
California counties: Lake, Colusa, Napa, Tehama, Yolo, Shasta, Solano, Trinity, Glenn, Butte, Santa Clara, Sonoma
Bloom period
Eriogonum dasyanthemum blooms May-Oct.
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 dasyanthemum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum dasyanthemum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum dasyanthemum bloom?
Eriogonum dasyanthemum blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Eriogonum dasyanthemum grow?
Eriogonum dasyanthemum occurs in Lake, Colusa, Napa, Tehama, Yolo, Shasta, Solano, Trinity and other counties, at elevations of 50-1400 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum dasyanthemum belong to?
Eriogonum dasyanthemum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum dasyanthemum grow in?
Eriogonum dasyanthemum grows in Uncommon. Sand.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum davidsonii — Davidson's wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum deflexum — Skeleton weed
- Eriogonum deflexum var. baratum — Tall skeleton weed
- Eriogonum deflexum var. deflexum — Flat-topped skeleton weed
- Eriogonum deflexum var. nevadense — Nevada skeleton weed
- Eriogonum deserticola — Colorado desert wild buckwheat
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.