Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum

Santa catalina island buckwheat, Santa Catalina Island Buckwheat

Family: Polygonaceae · Type: shrub · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 4.3

Santa catalina island buckwheat is a California native shrub found on Santa Catalina Island in gravelly habitats at elevations below 450 meters, with widespread cultivation in coastal and southwestern regions. Flowering throughout the year, this plant produces white to cream-colored flowers in large, open clusters up to 50 centimeters wide. Growing 3 to 3.5 meters tall with multiple stems covered in woolly tomentose hairs that become slightly smoother with age, it develops a distinctive spreading habit. Its leaves are broad and substantial, measuring 3 to 7 centimeters long and 2 to 5 centimeters wide, creating a dense, textured appearance. The compact flower clusters and robust growth make this buckwheat a notable landscape element in its native island ecosystem.

Habitat: Gravel

Bloom period: All year

Elevation: < 450 m

Bioregions: s ChI (Santa Catalina Island) widely cult, occasionally established CW, SW.

California counties: Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Monterey

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.