Eriogonum deserticola
Colorado desert wild buckwheat
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Eriogonum deserticola (Colorado desert wild buckwheat) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by large shrub habit and green-yellow flowers distinguish it in Sonoran Desert.
Colorado desert wild buckwheat is a California native shrub found in southern Desert Southwest (Imperial County) in sandy habitats at elevations of 65 to 200 meters. Flowering from July to January, this plant produces green-yellow to yellow flowers in clusters with distinctive tomentose (woolly) involucres. Growing 6 to 15 decimeters tall with a broad 10 to 20 decimeter diameter, it develops erect stems that are densely woolly to occasionally nearly smooth. Its cauline leaves are round, approximately 0.5 to 1.5 centimeters long, covered in a dense tomentose layer that gives the plant a soft, grayish appearance. The fruit is small, 3 to 4 millimeters long, with a minutely rough beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species; large shrub habit and green-yellow flowers distinguish it in Sonoran Desert
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 65-200 m
California counties: Imperial, San Diego, Riverside
Outside California: southwestern Arizona, northeastern Baja California, northwestern Sonora
Bloom period
Eriogonum deserticola blooms Jul-Jan.
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 deserticola native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum deserticola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum deserticola bloom?
Eriogonum deserticola blooms Jul-Jan.
Where in California does Eriogonum deserticola grow?
Eriogonum deserticola occurs in Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, at elevations of 65-200 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum deserticola belong to?
Eriogonum deserticola is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum deserticola grow in?
Eriogonum deserticola grows in Sand.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.