Eriogonum hirtellum
Klamath mountain buckwheat, Klamath Mountain Buckwheat
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Eriogonum hirtellum (Klamath mountain buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by bright yellow flowers with contrasting petal widths diagnostic.
Klamath mountain buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in northern Klamath Ranges in eastern Del Norte and Siskiyou counties, growing on serpentine landscapes at elevations of 1,300 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces bright yellow flowers in compact clusters with spoon-shaped outer perianth lobes. Growing 1 to 3.5 decimeters tall with an expansive 2 to 4 decimeter diameter, it develops with generally glabrous stems. Its basal leaves are short and hairy, measuring 0.5 to 2 centimeters long and 0.3 to 0.8 centimeters wide. The fruit is 3 to 3.5 millimeters long, with a slightly hairy tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 45 sympatric species; bright yellow flowers with contrasting petal widths diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine
Elevation: (1100)1300-1700 m
California counties: Siskiyou
Bloom period
Eriogonum hirtellum blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 hirtellum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum hirtellum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum hirtellum bloom?
Eriogonum hirtellum blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum hirtellum grow?
Eriogonum hirtellum occurs in Siskiyou, at elevations of (1100)1300-1700 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum hirtellum belong to?
Eriogonum hirtellum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum hirtellum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum hirtellum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum hirtiflorum — Hairy-flower wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum hoffmannii — Hoffmann's buckwheat
- Eriogonum hoffmannii var. hoffmannii — Hoffmann's buckwheat
- Eriogonum hoffmannii var. robustius — Robust hoffmann's buckwheat
- Eriogonum hookeri — Hooker's wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum incanum — Frosted wild 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.