Eriogonum elongatum var. elongatum
Long-stem wild buckwheat
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Eriogonum elongatum var. elongatum (Long-stem wild buckwheat) is a native California perennial in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by tall stems and cauline leaves distinguish it from other perennials in range.
Long-stem wild buckwheat is a California native perennial found in central and western California coastal areas and southwestern regions in sandy or clay habitats at elevations of 60 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from July to November, this plant produces white to rose-colored flowers in clusters with delicate, oblong to obovate perianth lobes. Growing with erect stems 6 to 12 decimeters tall, covered in dense tomentose (woolly) hair that gives the plant a soft, grayish appearance. Its cauline leaves are small, measuring 1 to 3 centimeters long and 0.5 to 2 centimeters wide, also covered in tomentose hair that creates a soft, grayish-green texture. The plant develops fruit 2 to 3 millimeters long, which are smooth and glabrous.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 67 sympatric species; tall stems and cauline leaves distinguish it from other perennials in range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand or clay
Elevation: 60-1900 m
California counties: Kern, San Diego, Ventura, Los Angeles, Monterey, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Orange, Fresno, San Benito, El Dorado, Merced, Tulare
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Eriogonum elongatum var. elongatum blooms Jul-Nov.
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 elongatum var. elongatum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum elongatum var. elongatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum elongatum var. elongatum bloom?
Eriogonum elongatum var. elongatum blooms Jul-Nov.
Where in California does Eriogonum elongatum var. elongatum grow?
Eriogonum elongatum var. elongatum occurs in Kern, San Diego, Ventura, Los Angeles, Monterey, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and other counties, at elevations of 60-1900 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum elongatum var. elongatum belong to?
Eriogonum elongatum var. elongatum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum elongatum var. elongatum grow in?
Eriogonum elongatum var. elongatum grows in Common. Sand or clay.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum — Coastal california buckwheat
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.