Eriogonum marifolium var. cupulatum
Mccloud wild buckwheat, Mccloud Wild Buckwheat
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS PPD
Eriogonum marifolium var. cupulatum (Mccloud wild buckwheat) is a native California perennial in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by . Key features: larger involucres than typical variety, Cascade Range habitat.
Mccloud wild buckwheat is a California native perennial found in southern Siskiyou County in sandy habitats at elevations of 1,100 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces flowers in small, compact clusters with pale cream or white involucres 4 to 5 millimeters long. Growing with delicate stems that spread low across the sandy terrain, it forms a sparse and open habit. Its leaves are relatively small, with blades 1 to 3 centimeters long and 0.5 to 1 centimeter wide, arranged in a loose pattern. The plant's compact involucres and adaptation to sandy soils make it a distinctive member of the wild buckwheat family.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 35 sympatric species. Key features: larger involucres than typical variety, Cascade Range habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 1100-1200 m
Bloom period
Eriogonum marifolium var. cupulatum blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS PPD
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 var. cupulatum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum marifolium var. cupulatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum marifolium var. cupulatum bloom?
Eriogonum marifolium var. cupulatum blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Eriogonum marifolium var. cupulatum belong to?
Eriogonum marifolium var. cupulatum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum marifolium var. cupulatum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum marifolium var. cupulatum carries California Rare Plant Rank PPD.
What habitat does Eriogonum marifolium var. cupulatum grow in?
Eriogonum marifolium var. cupulatum grows in Sand.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum microtheca var. corymbosoides — San bernardino wild buckwheat
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.