Eriogonum kennedyi var. purpusii
Purpus' wild buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum kennedyi · (c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Eriogonum kennedyi var. purpusii (Purpus' wild buckwheat) is a native California perennial in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by . Key features: extremely small stature, gravel habitat, high elevation.
Purpus' wild buckwheat is a California native perennial found in central and eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, eastern Sierra Nevada, and northwestern desert mountains including Argus and Coso ranges in gravelly habitats at elevations of 1,500 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces small white to pale flowers in compact clusters about 2 to 2.5 millimeters long. Growing as a low-spreading plant 4 to 12 centimeters tall with a width of 10 to 30 centimeters, it forms dense, ground-hugging mats. Its small leaves are distinctively white-woolly, measuring 3 to 6 millimeters long with flat margins, creating a soft, compact appearance. The plant's fruit is 2.5 to 3 millimeters long, complementing its delicate desert mountain habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 50 sympatric species. Key features: extremely small stature, gravel habitat, high elevation
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravel
Elevation: 1500-2500 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono, Kern, Tulare
Outside California: west-central Nevada
Bloom period
Eriogonum kennedyi var. purpusii blooms May-Jul.
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 kennedyi var. purpusii native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum kennedyi var. purpusii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum kennedyi var. purpusii bloom?
Eriogonum kennedyi var. purpusii blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Eriogonum kennedyi var. purpusii grow?
Eriogonum kennedyi var. purpusii occurs in Inyo, Mono, Kern, Tulare, at elevations of 1500-2500 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum kennedyi var. purpusii belong to?
Eriogonum kennedyi var. purpusii is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum kennedyi var. purpusii grow in?
Eriogonum kennedyi var. purpusii grows in Gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.