Eriogonum gracile var. incultum
Palomar mountain wild buckwheat, Palomar Mountain Wild Buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum gracile · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriogonum gracile var. incultum (Palomar mountain wild buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by glabrous inflorescence vs. woolly in var. gracile.
Palomar mountain wild buckwheat is a California native annual herb found in the Peninsular Ranges in sandy habitats at elevations of 700 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces small white to pale cream-colored flowers in delicate, glabrous inflorescences. Growing with slender, branching stems typically 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms a loose, open structure characteristic of wild buckwheat species. Its leaves are typically basal and relatively small, with a simple, somewhat elongated shape that supports the plant's delicate growth pattern. The fruit is a small, dry achene typical of the Eriogonum genus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 29 sympatric species; key feature is glabrous inflorescence vs. woolly in var. gracile
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 700-1600 m
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Eriogonum gracile var. incultum blooms Jul-Oct.
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 gracile var. incultum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum gracile var. incultum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum gracile var. incultum bloom?
Eriogonum gracile var. incultum blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Eriogonum gracile var. incultum belong to?
Eriogonum gracile var. incultum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum gracile var. incultum grow in?
Eriogonum gracile var. incultum grows in Sand.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum gracilipes — White mountains wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum gracillimum — Rose-and-white wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum grande — Island buckwheat
- Eriogonum grande var. grande — Island buckwheat
- Eriogonum grande var. rubescens — Red-flowered buckwheat
- Eriogonum grande var. timorum — San nicolas 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.