Eriogonum hoffmannii
Hoffmann's buckwheat
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Adam J. Searcy · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriogonum hoffmannii (Hoffmann's buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family.
Hoffmann's buckwheat is a California native annual herb found in open habitats across California's diverse landscapes at elevations ranging from low to moderate elevational zones. Flowering from summer to early autumn, this plant produces delicate white to pale reddish flowers in loose, broad clusters measuring 10 to 60 centimeters wide. Growing with slender stems 4 to 10 centimeters tall, it develops a sparse, upright structure with minimal branching. Its basal leaves are distinctive, measuring 1 to 5 centimeters long and approximately round, with a soft, woolly texture on the undersurface and varying hairiness on the upper surface. The small involucres and compact flower clusters give this diminutive annual a subtle yet intricate appearance in its native habitat.
Habitat and range
California counties: Inyo
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 hoffmannii native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum hoffmannii is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Eriogonum hoffmannii grow?
Eriogonum hoffmannii occurs in Inyo.
What plant family does Eriogonum hoffmannii belong to?
Eriogonum hoffmannii is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum inerme — Unarmed buckwheat
- Eriogonum inerme var. hispidulum — Goodman's unarmed 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.