Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum
Coastal california buckwheat, Coastal California Buckwheat
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum (Coastal california buckwheat) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by mat form, glabrous stems, and coastal habitat.
Coastal california buckwheat is a California native perennial found in coastal regions including the Central Coast, Southern California Coast, Channel Islands, Santa Catalina Island, Transverse Ranges, San Bernardino Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, and southeastern Mojave Desert in sandy habitats at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering throughout the entire year, this plant produces white to cream-colored flowers in dense, head-like clusters. Growing as a low, spreading mat 1 to 5 decimeters tall and up to 3 meters wide, it forms a sprawling ground cover with distinctively grayish stems. Its small leaves are narrow, about 6 to 12 millimeters long, with margins rolled under and a soft, woolly underside that appears grayish-white. The plant creates extensive, low-growing ground cover in coastal and desert environments, with a distinctive mat-like growth habit.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 113 sympatric species; key features are mat form, glabrous stems, and coastal habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: < 300 m
Outside California: northwestern Baja California
Bloom period
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum blooms All year.
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 fasciculatum var. fasciculatum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum bloom?
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum blooms All year.
What plant family does Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum belong to?
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum grow in?
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum grows in Sand.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum fasciculatum var. flavoviride — Sonoran desert california buckwheat
- Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum — Leafy california buckwheat
- Eriogonum fasciculatum var. polifolium — Mojave desert california buckwheat
- Eriogonum giganteum — St. catherine's-lace
- Eriogonum giganteum var. compactum — Santa barbara island buckwheat
- Eriogonum giganteum var. formosum — San clemente island buckwheat
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
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.