Eriogonum deflexum var. baratum
Tall skeleton weed, Tall Skeleton Weed
Photo: parent species Eriogonum deflexum · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriogonum deflexum var. baratum (Tall skeleton weed) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by tall habit, inflated stems, and reflexed peduncles distinguish from other deflexum varieties.
Tall skeleton weed is a California native annual herb found in southern Sierra Nevada eastern slope, Tehachapi, southern San Joaquin Valley, Transverse Ranges, and northern and western Mojave Desert regions in sandy habitats at elevations of 700 to 2,900 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces small white to cream flowers in compact, narrowly erect inflorescences. Growing 30 to 100 centimeters tall with distinctively inflated stems that give it a skeletal appearance, the plant develops delicate, reflexed peduncles. Its leaves and stems are characterized by a somewhat swollen, inflated texture that creates an open, skeletal growth form. The plant's compact flower clusters, each involucre approximately 2.5 to 3 millimeters long, feature outer flower lobes with a distinctive cordate shape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 106 sympatric species; tall habit, inflated stems, and reflexed peduncles distinguish from other deflexum varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Locally common. Sand
Elevation: 700-2900 m
California counties: Inyo, Kern, Mono, Tulare, San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Ventura
Outside California: southern Nevada
Bloom period
Eriogonum deflexum var. baratum blooms Jul-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 deflexum var. baratum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum deflexum var. baratum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum deflexum var. baratum bloom?
Eriogonum deflexum var. baratum blooms Jul-Oct.
Where in California does Eriogonum deflexum var. baratum grow?
Eriogonum deflexum var. baratum occurs in Inyo, Kern, Mono, Tulare, San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Ventura, at elevations of 700-2900 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum deflexum var. baratum belong to?
Eriogonum deflexum var. baratum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum deflexum var. baratum grow in?
Eriogonum deflexum var. baratum grows in Locally common. Sand.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum eastwoodianum — Eastwood's 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.