Eriogonum mensicola
Pinyon mesa buckwheat, Pinyon Mesa Buckwheat
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Eriogonum mensicola (Pinyon mesa buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by . Key features: rocky slopes, desert mountains, white-brown flowers.
Pinyon mesa buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the western Inyo Mountains and northern Death Valley Mountains, including Panamint and Coso ranges, on rocky slopes at elevations of 1,800 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces delicate white to white-brown flowers in compact clusters with oblanceolate perianth lobes. Growing with densely woolly stems 15 to 30 centimeters tall and spreading 10 to 20 centimeters wide, it forms a low, compact cushion-like form. Its basal leaves are rounded, measuring 5 to 15 millimeters long, and densely covered in white tomentose (woolly) indumentum. The small fruits are smooth and measure 2.5 to 3 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 57 sympatric species. Key features: rocky slopes, desert mountains, white-brown flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes
Elevation: 1800-2700 m
California counties: Inyo
Outside California: southwestern Nevada
Bloom period
Eriogonum mensicola blooms Jul-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 mensicola native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum mensicola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum mensicola bloom?
Eriogonum mensicola blooms Jul-Oct.
Where in California does Eriogonum mensicola grow?
Eriogonum mensicola occurs in Inyo, at elevations of 1800-2700 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum mensicola belong to?
Eriogonum mensicola is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum mensicola rare or endangered?
Eriogonum mensicola carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum microtheca var. johnstonii — Johnston's buckwheat
- Eriogonum microtheca var. lacus-ursi — Bear lake 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.