Eriogonum hoffmannii var. hoffmannii
Hoffmann's buckwheat
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Adam J. Searcy · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Eriogonum hoffmannii var. hoffmannii (Hoffmann's buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by large round leaves with flat margins diagnostic.
Hoffmann's buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native annual found in the western slope of the Panamint Range in the northern Desert Mountains on gravel landscapes at elevations of 1,000 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces white to pale yellow flowers in compact clusters. Growing with slender stems 5 to 50 centimeters tall, it forms low, spreading clumps across gravelly terrain. Its basal leaves are distinctive, with broad blades 1 to 4 centimeters long and 2 to 4 centimeters wide, featuring flat margins that help distinguish this delicate desert species. The plant's compact form and ability to thrive in harsh, gravelly environments make it a resilient representative of desert botanical adaptations.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 57 sympatric species; large round leaves with flat margins diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravel
Elevation: 1000-1700 m
Bloom period
Eriogonum hoffmannii var. hoffmannii 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 hoffmannii var. hoffmannii native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum hoffmannii var. hoffmannii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum hoffmannii var. hoffmannii bloom?
Eriogonum hoffmannii var. hoffmannii blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Eriogonum hoffmannii var. hoffmannii belong to?
Eriogonum hoffmannii var. hoffmannii is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum hoffmannii var. hoffmannii rare or endangered?
Eriogonum hoffmannii var. hoffmannii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Eriogonum hoffmannii var. hoffmannii grow in?
Eriogonum hoffmannii var. hoffmannii grows in Gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum inerme var. inerme — Unarmed wild buckwheat
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.