Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum
Santa catalina island buckwheat, Santa Catalina Island Buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum giganteum · (c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum (Santa catalina island buckwheat) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by very large potential size and broad distribution due to cultivation.
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.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 67 sympatric species; key features are very large potential size and broad distribution due to cultivation
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravel
Elevation: < 450 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Monterey
Bloom period
Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum blooms All year.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 giganteum var. giganteum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum bloom?
Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum blooms All year.
Where in California does Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum grow?
Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum occurs in Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, at elevations of < 450 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum belong to?
Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.