Eriogonum eastwoodianum
Eastwood's buckwheat
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Eriogonum eastwoodianum (Eastwood's buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by erect peduncles with involucres at branch tips and short styles distinguish it.
Eastwood's buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native annual found in southern Santa Lucia Ranges interior in Fresno and Monterey counties, growing on shale landscapes at elevations of 500 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces delicate white flowers in small clusters with tiny white perianth lobes. Growing 20 to 50 centimeters tall with woolly (tomentose) stems that are slender and upright, it develops an open branching structure. Its basal leaves are approximately round, 1 to 3 centimeters long, with woolly undersides and nearly smooth upper surfaces. The small fruits are 1.6 to 2 millimeters long with a slightly granular tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 37 sympatric species; erect peduncles with involucres at branch tips and short styles distinguish it
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shale
Elevation: (200)500-1000 m
California counties: Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Tulare
Bloom period
Eriogonum eastwoodianum blooms May-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 eastwoodianum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum eastwoodianum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum eastwoodianum bloom?
Eriogonum eastwoodianum blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum eastwoodianum grow?
Eriogonum eastwoodianum occurs in Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Tulare, at elevations of (200)500-1000 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum eastwoodianum belong to?
Eriogonum eastwoodianum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum eastwoodianum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum eastwoodianum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.