Eriogonum inerme var. hispidulum
Goodman's unarmed wild buckwheat, Goodman's Unarmed Wild Buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum inerme · (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriogonum inerme var. hispidulum (Goodman's unarmed wild buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by hairy involucres distinguish from var. inerme.
Goodman's unarmed wild buckwheat is a California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada and Tehachapi Mountains in sandy habitats at elevations of 800 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces delicate white to pale cream-colored flowers in small clusters with distinctive short, stiff hairy involucres. Growing with slender stems typically 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it spreads in open, sparse formations across sandy terrain. Its leaves are typically small and clustered near the base of the plant, with a delicate, somewhat sparse arrangement. When mature, the plant forms compact, low-growing clusters characteristic of its wild buckwheat lineage.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 39 sympatric species; hairy involucres distinguish from var. inerme
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 800-2100 m
Bloom period
Eriogonum inerme var. hispidulum blooms May-Sep.
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 inerme var. hispidulum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum inerme var. hispidulum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum inerme var. hispidulum bloom?
Eriogonum inerme var. hispidulum blooms May-Sep.
What plant family does Eriogonum inerme var. hispidulum belong to?
Eriogonum inerme var. hispidulum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum inerme var. hispidulum grow in?
Eriogonum inerme var. hispidulum grows in Sand.
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.