Eriogonum heermannii
Heerman buckwheat
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Eriogonum heermannii (Heerman buckwheat) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Heerman buckwheat is a California native shrub found in rocky and dry habitats at elevations ranging from low to moderate terrain. Flowering from late spring to summer, this plant produces delicate white to pink flowers with subtle yellow undertones, forming clusters of tiny blooms. Growing as a compact shrub between 0.5 to 2 meters tall with a rounded spreading form, it develops woody stems covered in soft tomentose (felt-like) hair. Its narrow linear leaves are small, typically 1 to 2 centimeters long, with a soft grayish-green appearance and a dense tomentose surface. The intricate flower clusters range from 10 to 30 centimeters wide, creating a subtle yet distinctive presence in its native landscape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Kern, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Mono
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 heermannii native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum heermannii is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Eriogonum heermannii grow?
Eriogonum heermannii occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, Kern, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Mono.
What plant family does Eriogonum heermannii belong to?
Eriogonum heermannii is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum heermannii var. sulcatum — Heermann's grooved wild 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.