Eriogonum luteolum var. saltuarium
Jack's wild buckwheat, Jack's Wild Buckwheat
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Eriogonum luteolum var. saltuarium (Jack's wild buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by NONE — geographically isolated from all other species.
Jack's wild buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in northern and central Sierra Nevada Mountains, specifically in Alpine and Tuolumne counties, in granitic sand habitats at elevations of 1,700 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces delicate white to rose-colored flowers in small clusters approximately 2 to 2.5 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems 20 to 40 centimeters tall that are glabrous and relatively slender, it develops distinctive rounded basal leaves. Its leaf blades are approximately round, spreading from the base of the plant in a subtle, elegant arrangement. The small fruits measure 1.8 to 2 millimeters in length, contributing to its compact and understated botanical profile.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE — geographically isolated from all other species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Granitic sand
Elevation: 1700-2400 m
Bloom period
Eriogonum luteolum var. saltuarium blooms Jul-Sep.
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 luteolum var. saltuarium native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum luteolum var. saltuarium is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum luteolum var. saltuarium bloom?
Eriogonum luteolum var. saltuarium blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Eriogonum luteolum var. saltuarium belong to?
Eriogonum luteolum var. saltuarium is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum luteolum var. saltuarium rare or endangered?
Eriogonum luteolum var. saltuarium carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Eriogonum luteolum var. saltuarium grow in?
Eriogonum luteolum var. saltuarium grows in Granitic sand.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum maculatum — Spotted wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum marifolium — Marum leaved buckwheat
- Eriogonum marifolium var. cupulatum — Mccloud wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum marifolium var. marifolium — Marum-leaf wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum mensicola — Pinyon mesa buckwheat
- Eriogonum microtheca — Great basin buckwheat
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.