Eriogonum marifolium
Marum leaved buckwheat
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriogonum marifolium (Marum leaved buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by Dioecious perennial mat buckwheat; head-like inflorescence; high KR-CaRH-n&c SNH.
Marum leaved buckwheat is a California native perennial found in rocky or open areas at elevations of 300 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces yellow flowers in compact heads 0.5 to 2 centimeters wide, with distinctive red-tinged perianth in fruit. Growing as a low mat formation 2 to 8 decimeters in diameter, it develops erect stems 0.5 to 4 decimeters tall that are variably hairy. Its basal leaves are small and dense, with blades 0.3 to 3 centimeters long, tomentose underneath and nearly glabrous on top surfaces. The fruit is a small glabrous seed 3.5 to 5 millimeters long, with a sparsely hairy tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Dioecious perennial mat buckwheat; head-like inflorescence; high KR-CaRH-n&c SNH.
Habitat and range
California counties: Shasta, Calaveras, Alpine, El Dorado, Plumas, Merced, Placer, Amador, Mono, Siskiyou, Lassen, Nevada, Tuolumne, Sierra, Butte, Tehama, Fresno, Trinity, Tulare, Madera
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 marifolium native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum marifolium is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Eriogonum marifolium grow?
Eriogonum marifolium occurs in Shasta, Calaveras, Alpine, El Dorado, Plumas, Merced, Placer, Amador and other counties.
What plant family does Eriogonum marifolium belong to?
Eriogonum marifolium is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum microtheca var. alpinum — Alpine slender buckwheat
- Eriogonum microtheca var. ambiguum — Yellow-flowered 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.