Eriogonum grande var. timorum
San nicolas island buckwheat, San Nicolas Island Buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum grande · (c) Diego Maldonado de la Torre, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Eriogonum grande var. timorum (San nicolas island buckwheat) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by small size and San Nicolas Island location.
San nicolas island buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in southern Channel Islands on San Nicolas Island in sandy habitats at elevations of 20 to 60 meters. Flowering from April to October, this plant produces delicate white flowers in clusters 4 to 8 centimeters wide. Growing with low-spreading stems 10 to 25 centimeters tall, it forms a compact subshrub with a distinctive growth habit. Its leaves are soft and tomentose, with blades 2 to 3.5 centimeters long and 1 to 2 centimeters wide, creating a dense, grayish-green foliage. The small white flowers are approximately 2.5 to 3 millimeters long, creating a subtle but charming display across the island's sandy terrain.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species; key features are small size and San Nicolas Island location
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 20-60 m
California counties: Ventura
Bloom period
Eriogonum grande var. timorum blooms Apr-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 grande var. timorum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum grande var. timorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum grande var. timorum bloom?
Eriogonum grande var. timorum blooms Apr-Oct.
Where in California does Eriogonum grande var. timorum grow?
Eriogonum grande var. timorum occurs in Ventura, at elevations of 20-60 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum grande var. timorum belong to?
Eriogonum grande var. timorum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum grande var. timorum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum grande var. timorum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum heermannii — Heerman buckwheat
- Eriogonum heermannii var. argense — Heermann's rough wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum heermannii var. floccosum — Clark mountain buckwheat
- Eriogonum heermannii var. heermannii — Heermann's wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum heermannii var. humilius — Heermann's great basin wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum heermannii var. occidentale — Western heermann's buckwheat
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.