Eriogonum inerme var. inerme
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. inerme (Unarmed wild buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by glabrous involucres distinguish from var. hispidulum.
Unarmed wild buckwheat is a California native annual found in southern North Coast Ranges, Central Western California, and Western Transverse Ranges in sandy habitats at elevations of 600 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white to cream-colored flowers in small, glabrous involucres. Growing with delicate, slender stems up to 20 centimeters tall, it forms low, spreading clusters. Its leaves are typically basal, small, and clustered near the ground, with a simple, unadorned structure that blends into its sandy habitat. The fruit is a small, dry achene that helps the plant disperse its seeds across the arid landscape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 85 sympatric species; glabrous involucres distinguish from var. hispidulum
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 600-2200 m
Outside California: central Idaho, disjunct as waif
Bloom period
Eriogonum inerme var. inerme blooms May-Aug.
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. inerme native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum inerme var. inerme is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum inerme var. inerme bloom?
Eriogonum inerme var. inerme blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Eriogonum inerme var. inerme belong to?
Eriogonum inerme var. inerme is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum inerme var. inerme grow in?
Eriogonum inerme var. inerme grows in Sand.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.