Eriogonum kelloggii
Kellogg's buckwheat
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Eriogonum kelloggii (Kellogg's buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by geographic restriction and serpentine habitat diagnostic.
Kellogg's buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in central Northern Coast Ranges, specifically Red Mountain in Mendocino County, growing on serpentine landscapes at elevations of 1,000 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white to pink or rose-red flowers in compact heads 5 to 15 millimeters wide. Growing as a low-spreading herb 1 to 5 centimeters tall with generally tomentose stems, it forms dense rounded clusters. Its basal leaves are small, 4 to 10 millimeters long, with silky-tomentose undersides that give the foliage a soft, grayish appearance. The distinctive flower clusters feature involucres with 6 to 8 delicate teeth, creating an intricate and subtle botanical structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; geographic restriction and serpentine habitat diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine
Elevation: 1000-1200 m
California counties: Mendocino
Bloom period
Eriogonum kelloggii blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 kelloggii native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum kelloggii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum kelloggii bloom?
Eriogonum kelloggii blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Eriogonum kelloggii grow?
Eriogonum kelloggii occurs in Mendocino, at elevations of 1000-1200 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum kelloggii belong to?
Eriogonum kelloggii is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum kelloggii rare or endangered?
Eriogonum kelloggii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum kennedyi var. purpusii — Purpus' wild 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.