Eriogonum douglasii var. meridionale
Southern wild buckwheat, Southern Wild Buckwheat
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Eriogonum douglasii var. meridionale (Southern wild buckwheat) is a native California perennial in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by head-like inflorescence with strongly reflexed involucre teeth.
Southern wild buckwheat is a California native perennial found in eastern Klamath Ranges, eastern Cascade Range, northern Sierra Nevada, and Modoc Plateau in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 1,200 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces yellow to rose-red flowers in compact head-like clusters approximately 1 to 1.5 centimeters wide. Growing as a low spreading mat 0.5 to 6 centimeters in diameter with short stems 4 to 12 centimeters tall, it has densely woolly stems and branches. Its basal leaves are small and narrow, measuring 4 to 15 millimeters long, completely covered in soft white tomentose hairs. The involucre has 6 to 14 strongly reflexed teeth, giving the flower cluster a distinctive textured appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 112 sympatric species; head-like inflorescence with strongly reflexed involucre teeth is diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand or gravel
Elevation: 1200-2500 m
California counties: Plumas, Nevada, Modoc, Sierra, Lassen, Siskiyou
Outside California: south-central Oregon, west-central Nevada
Bloom period
Eriogonum douglasii var. meridionale blooms Apr-Jun.
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 douglasii var. meridionale native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum douglasii var. meridionale is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum douglasii var. meridionale bloom?
Eriogonum douglasii var. meridionale blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Eriogonum douglasii var. meridionale grow?
Eriogonum douglasii var. meridionale occurs in Plumas, Nevada, Modoc, Sierra, Lassen, Siskiyou, at elevations of 1200-2500 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum douglasii var. meridionale belong to?
Eriogonum douglasii var. meridionale is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum douglasii var. meridionale grow in?
Eriogonum douglasii var. meridionale grows in Sand or gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.