Eriogonum hirtiflorum
Hairy-flower wild buckwheat
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriogonum hirtiflorum (Hairy-flower wild buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by hooked hairs on flowers diagnostic.
Hairy-flower wild buckwheat is a California native annual herb found in northwestern California, Sierra Nevada, northern central western California, and Transverse Ranges in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 200 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces pink to reddish flowers with oblong perianth lobes in small clusters. Growing with delicate glandular stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms a compact, thread-like structure. Its leaves are both basal and along the stem, with small blades 1 to 2.5 centimeters long and narrow, measuring 0.4 to 0.8 centimeters wide. The fruit is a small elliptic structure 1 to 1.3 millimeters long with an exserted tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 157 sympatric species; hooked hairs on flowers diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand or gravel
Elevation: 200-2000 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Lake, Monterey, San Diego, Tulare, Santa Cruz, Tuolumne, San Bernardino, Ventura, Siskiyou, Mariposa, Madera, San Benito, Trinity, Fresno, Glenn, Kern, Calaveras, Tehama, Colusa, Santa Clara, Mendocino, Amador, Shasta
Bloom period
Eriogonum hirtiflorum blooms May-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 hirtiflorum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum hirtiflorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum hirtiflorum bloom?
Eriogonum hirtiflorum blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Eriogonum hirtiflorum grow?
Eriogonum hirtiflorum occurs in Los Angeles, Lake, Monterey, San Diego, Tulare, Santa Cruz, Tuolumne, San Bernardino and other counties, at elevations of 200-2000 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum hirtiflorum belong to?
Eriogonum hirtiflorum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum hirtiflorum grow in?
Eriogonum hirtiflorum grows in Sand or gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.