Eriogonum microtheca var. lacus-ursi

Bear lake buckwheat, Bear Lake Buckwheat

Family: Polygonaceae · Type: shrub · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1

Bear lake buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in Bear Valley in clay habitats at elevations of 2,000 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces cream-colored flowers in compact clusters approximately 1 to 3 centimeters long. Growing as a low subshrub 15 to 20 centimeters tall with a broad spread of 40 to 60 centimeters, it forms a dense, rounded shape. Its small leaves are tomentose underneath, approximately 0.7 to 1.5 centimeters long with margins rolled tightly under, creating a compact and delicate appearance. The plant's tiny cream flowers and distinctive rolled leaf margins make it a unique species adapted to high-elevation clay environments.

Habitat: Clay

Bloom period: Jul-Aug

Elevation: 2000-2100 m

Bioregions: SnBr (Bear Valley).

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.