Eriogonum microtheca var. johnstonii
Johnston's buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum microtheca · (c) Jared Shorma, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Eriogonum microtheca var. johnstonii (Johnston's buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by . Key features: high elevation rocks, large flowers for plant size, southern CA mountains.
Johnston's buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native shrub found in eastern San Gabriel Mountains and western San Bernardino Mountains on rocky sites at elevations of 2,600 to 2,900 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces white to reddish flowers in compact clusters approximately 2.5 to 3.5 millimeters long. Growing as a low subshrub 6 to 13 centimeters tall with a spread of 20 to 50 centimeters, it has a compact and densely branched form. Its small leaves are tomentose underneath, measuring 5 to 10 millimeters long and 3 to 5 millimeters wide, with surfaces ranging from hairy to nearly smooth. The compact growth and small white to reddish flowers make this buckwheat well-adapted to its rocky, high-elevation mountain habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 52 sympatric species. Key features: high elevation rocks, large flowers for plant size, southern CA mountains
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocks
Elevation: 2600-2900 m
Bloom period
Eriogonum microtheca var. johnstonii blooms Jul-Sep.
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 microtheca var. johnstonii native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum microtheca var. johnstonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum microtheca var. johnstonii bloom?
Eriogonum microtheca var. johnstonii blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Eriogonum microtheca var. johnstonii belong to?
Eriogonum microtheca var. johnstonii is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum microtheca var. johnstonii rare or endangered?
Eriogonum microtheca var. johnstonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Eriogonum microtheca var. johnstonii grow in?
Eriogonum microtheca var. johnstonii grows in Rocks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum microtheca var. lacus-ursi — Bear lake buckwheat
- Eriogonum microtheca var. lapidicola — Inyo mountains buckwheat
- Eriogonum microtheca var. laxiflorum — Great basin wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum microtheca var. panamintense — Panamint mountains buckwheat
- Eriogonum microtheca var. schoolcraftii — Schoolcraft's wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum microtheca var. simpsonii — Simpson's wild 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.