Eriogonum heermannii var. argense
Heermann's rough wild buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum heermannii · (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Eriogonum heermannii var. argense (Heermann's rough wild buckwheat) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by requires subtle morphological features for identification.
Heermann's rough wild buckwheat is a California native shrub found in the desert mountains at elevations of 800 to 2,800 meters, typically growing on gravel or rocky terrain. Flowering from April to November, this plant produces white to yellow-white or slightly reddish flowers in clusters 3 to 20 centimeters wide. Growing as a compact shrub 1 to 10 decimeters tall with a spread of 2 to 10 decimeters, it has a distinctive branching structure with smooth, glabrous or minutely rough branches. Its leaves are small, measuring 0.5 to 1.2 centimeters long and 0.1 to 0.6 centimeters wide, typically covered in a soft, woolly tomentose texture. The plant's tiny involucres are 0.9 to 1.8 millimeters long, contributing to its delicate and intricate appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 57 sympatric species; requires subtle morphological features for identification
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravel or rocks
Elevation: 800-2800 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, Riverside
Outside California: Arizona, southern Nevada
Bloom period
Eriogonum heermannii var. argense blooms Apr-Nov.
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 var. argense native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum heermannii var. argense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum heermannii var. argense bloom?
Eriogonum heermannii var. argense blooms Apr-Nov.
Where in California does Eriogonum heermannii var. argense grow?
Eriogonum heermannii var. argense occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, Riverside, at elevations of 800-2800 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum heermannii var. argense belong to?
Eriogonum heermannii var. argense is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum heermannii var. argense grow in?
Eriogonum heermannii var. argense grows in Gravel or rocks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum heracleoides var. heracleoides — Parsnip-flowered 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.