Eriogonum inflatum
Desert trumpet
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriogonum inflatum (Desert trumpet) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by inflated stems highly diagnostic.
Desert trumpet is a California native perennial found in the Great Basin and Desert bioregions in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations from 30 to 1,800 meters. Flowering throughout the year, this plant produces delicate yellow flowers small and hairy, clustered in loose branching inflorescences. Growing with unique inflated stems 20 to 100 centimeters tall, it has a distinctive swollen stem characteristic that gives it its common name. Its basal leaves are approximately round, 1 to 2.5 centimeters long, with short hairs covering their surface. The fruit is light-colored and small, measuring 2 to 2.5 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 105 sympatric species; inflated stems highly diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand or gravel
Elevation: -30-1800 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, Ventura, Kern, Monterey, San Benito, Los Angeles, Imperial, Santa Barbara, Mono, San Diego, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Tulare
Outside California: to Colorado, New Mexico, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Eriogonum inflatum blooms All year.
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 inflatum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum inflatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum inflatum bloom?
Eriogonum inflatum blooms All year.
Where in California does Eriogonum inflatum grow?
Eriogonum inflatum occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, Ventura, Kern, Monterey, San Benito, Los Angeles and other counties, at elevations of -30-1800 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum inflatum belong to?
Eriogonum inflatum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum inflatum grow in?
Eriogonum inflatum grows in Common. Sand or gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum intrafractum — Jointed buckwheat
- Eriogonum kelloggii — Kellogg's buckwheat
- Eriogonum kennedyi — Kennedy's buckwheat
- Eriogonum kennedyi var. alpigenum — Southern alpine buckwheat
- Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum — Southern mountain buckwheat
- Eriogonum kennedyi var. kennedyi — Kennedy's 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.