Eriogonum elegans
Elegant wild buckwheat
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Eriogonum elegans (Elegant wild buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by small appressed involucres distinguish it from similar species.
Elegant wild buckwheat is a California native annual found in the San Francisco Bay Area, southern Coast Ranges, and western Transverse Ranges in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 200 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from May to November, this plant produces delicate white to rose-colored flowers that range from 1 to 1.5 millimeters long with oblong-obovate perianth lobes. Growing 10 to 40 centimeters tall with glabrous stems, it forms a compact plant with minimal branching. Its basal leaves are distinctive, measuring 3 to 15 millimeters long, generally round in shape, and covered in a soft, woolly tomentose surface. The plant produces small, smooth fruits 1 to 1.5 millimeters in length, blending seamlessly into its delicate habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 66 sympatric species; small appressed involucres distinguish it from similar species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Sand or gravel
Elevation: 200-1200 m
California counties: Monterey, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Santa Barbara, Inyo, Tulare, Ventura, Fresno, Santa Clara, Stanislaus
Bloom period
Eriogonum elegans blooms May-Nov.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 elegans native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum elegans is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum elegans bloom?
Eriogonum elegans blooms May-Nov.
Where in California does Eriogonum elegans grow?
Eriogonum elegans occurs in Monterey, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Santa Barbara, Inyo, Tulare, Ventura, Fresno and other counties, at elevations of 200-1200 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum elegans belong to?
Eriogonum elegans is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum elegans rare or endangered?
Eriogonum elegans carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4S5.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum elongatum var. elongatum — Long-stem wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum eremicola — Wildrose canyon buckwheat
- Eriogonum esmeraldense var. esmeraldense — Esmeralda wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum evanidum — Vanishing wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum exaltatum — Ladder wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum fasciculatum — California buckwheat
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.