Eriogonum deflexum
Skeleton weed, Skeleton Weed
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriogonum deflexum (Skeleton weed) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family.
Skeleton weed is a California native annual herb found in dry, open areas at low to moderate elevations. Flowering from spring to summer, this plant produces delicate white to pink or reddish flowers in open, branching clusters up to 90 centimeters wide. Growing with slender, occasionally inflated stems 5 to 100 centimeters tall, it forms a distinctive skeletal appearance with sparse branching. Its basal leaves are broadly rounded, measuring 1 to 2.5 centimeters long, with soft, woolly undersides and smoother upper surfaces. The tiny flowers, measuring 1 to 2.5 millimeters long, have outer perianth lobes that are oblong to heart-shaped and inner lobes that are lance-shaped.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated from all other species in this genus
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Riverside, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Ventura, Tulare
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 deflexum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum deflexum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Eriogonum deflexum grow?
Eriogonum deflexum occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Riverside, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Ventura and other counties.
What plant family does Eriogonum deflexum belong to?
Eriogonum deflexum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum diclinum — Jaynes canyon buckwheat
- Eriogonum douglasii var. meridionale — Southern 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.