Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum
Leafy california buckwheat, Leafy California Buckwheat
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum (Leafy california buckwheat) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by large size, hairy leaves and flowers, open inflorescence.
Leafy california buckwheat is a native shrub found in central and southern California coastal regions, central desert, and widely cultivated areas, thriving in gravel habitats at elevations of 60 to 1,300 meters. Flowering throughout the year, this plant produces small white to cream-colored flowers in open clusters. Growing as a rounded shrub 6 to 15 decimeters tall and up to 25 decimeters wide, it features stems that are generally grayish and densely tomentose or occasionally glabrous. Its small leaves are densely tomentose on the undersides, with blades 0.6 to 1.2 centimeters long and margins tightly rolled under. The shrub forms a compact, rounded shape with gray-green foliage that provides distinctive texture in its native landscape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 117 sympatric species; key features are large size, hairy leaves and flowers, open inflorescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravel
Elevation: 60-1300 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, Ventura, San Diego, San Benito, Monterey, Stanislaus, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Orange, Kern, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, Fresno, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Trinity, Marin, Sonoma, Glenn, Napa, Del Norte, Inyo
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum 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. foliolosum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum bloom?
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum blooms All year.
Where in California does Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum grow?
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, Ventura, San Diego, San Benito, Monterey, Stanislaus and other counties, at elevations of 60-1300 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum belong to?
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum grow in?
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum grows in Gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum gilmanii — Gilman's 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.