Eriogonum intrafractum
Jointed buckwheat
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Eriogonum intrafractum (Jointed buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by jointed breaking stems diagnostic.
Jointed buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in northern desert mountains including the Grapevine and Panamint Ranges in gravelly and rocky habitats at elevations of 800 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces yellow to red-yellow flowers in compact clusters that are 2 to 6 centimeters wide. Growing with distinctively jointed stems 60 to 90 centimeters tall that partially hollow and break into short cylindric sections, it develops a unique structural characteristic. Its basal leaves are hairy, with blades 2.5 to 7 centimeters long and 0.7 to 2 centimeters wide. The fruit is 2 to 2.5 millimeters long with a hairy tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 57 sympatric species; jointed breaking stems diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravel or rocks
Elevation: (600)800-1600 m
California counties: Inyo
Bloom period
Eriogonum intrafractum blooms May-Oct.
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 intrafractum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum intrafractum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum intrafractum bloom?
Eriogonum intrafractum blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Eriogonum intrafractum grow?
Eriogonum intrafractum occurs in Inyo, at elevations of (600)800-1600 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum intrafractum belong to?
Eriogonum intrafractum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum intrafractum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum intrafractum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum kennedyi var. pinicola — Kern buckwheat
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.