Eriogonum fasciculatum var. flavoviride
Sonoran desert california buckwheat, Sonoran Desert California Buckwheat
(c) Dick Culbert, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. flavoviride (Sonoran desert california buckwheat) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by yellow-green coloration and desert habitat.
Sonoran desert california buckwheat is a California native shrub found in desert regions in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 50 to 1,300 meters. Flowering throughout the year, this plant produces pale yellow to white flowers in compact, head-like clusters. Growing as a rounded shrub 2 to 5 decimeters tall with a spread of 3 to 6 decimeters, it has a distinctive yellow-green appearance with a generally glabrous structure. Its small leaves are 6 to 10 millimeters long, less than 2 millimeters wide, with margins rolled under and a light yellow-green undersurface. The plant forms a compact, rounded shape with delicate, sparse foliage characteristic of desert environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 58 sympatric species; key features are yellow-green coloration and desert habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand or gravel
Elevation: 50-1300 m
California counties: Inyo, Riverside, Ventura, San Bernardino, San Diego, Imperial
Outside California: Baja California, northwestern Sonora
Bloom period
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. flavoviride 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. flavoviride native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum fasciculatum var. flavoviride is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum fasciculatum var. flavoviride bloom?
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. flavoviride blooms All year.
Where in California does Eriogonum fasciculatum var. flavoviride grow?
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. flavoviride occurs in Inyo, Riverside, Ventura, San Bernardino, San Diego, Imperial, at elevations of 50-1300 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum fasciculatum var. flavoviride belong to?
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. flavoviride is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum fasciculatum var. flavoviride grow in?
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. flavoviride grows in Sand or gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum — Santa catalina island buckwheat
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.