Eriogonum eremicola
Wildrose canyon buckwheat, Wildrose Canyon Buckwheat
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Eriogonum eremicola (Wildrose canyon buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by glandular stems and involucres distinguish it from other high-elevation annuals.
Wildrose canyon buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native annual found in southern Inyo Mountains and northern Death Mountains in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 2,200 to 3,100 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces white to red flowers in delicate inflorescences up to 20 centimeters long. Growing 8 to 25 centimeters tall with glandular stems that are slender and upright, it develops a distinctive branching structure. Its basal leaves are approximately round, 1 to 2.5 centimeters long, with a woolly undersurface and sparsely hairy or smooth upper surface. The tiny fruit is 2 to 2.5 millimeters long and glabrous.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 57 sympatric species; glandular stems and involucres distinguish it from other high-elevation annuals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand or gravel
Elevation: 2200-3100 m
California counties: Inyo
Bloom period
Eriogonum eremicola blooms Jun-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 eremicola native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum eremicola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum eremicola bloom?
Eriogonum eremicola blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum eremicola grow?
Eriogonum eremicola occurs in Inyo, at elevations of 2200-3100 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum eremicola belong to?
Eriogonum eremicola is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum eremicola rare or endangered?
Eriogonum eremicola carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum fasciculatum var. flavoviride — Sonoran desert 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.