Eriogonum microtheca var. lapidicola
Inyo mountains buckwheat, Inyo Mountains Buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum microtheca · (c) Jared Shorma, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Eriogonum microtheca var. lapidicola (Inyo mountains buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by NONE — geographically isolated from all other species.
Inyo mountains buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 4.3) California native shrub found in the southern White and Inyo Mountains on rocky or gravelly sites at elevations of 2,600 to 3,100 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces delicate white to pink or rose-colored flowers in compact clusters about 2 to 6 centimeters long. Growing as a low subshrub 5 to 15 centimeters tall with a spread of 10 to 30 centimeters, it has densely tomentose stems that give the plant a soft, grayish appearance. Its small leaves are densely woolly, measuring just 3 to 7 millimeters long and 1 to 4 millimeters wide, with a fuzzy texture on both upper and lower surfaces. The fruit is relatively small, measuring 2.5 to 3 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE — geographically isolated from all other species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravel or rocks
Elevation: 2600-3100 m
Outside California: to west-central Utah
Bloom period
Eriogonum microtheca var. lapidicola blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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. lapidicola native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum microtheca var. lapidicola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum microtheca var. lapidicola bloom?
Eriogonum microtheca var. lapidicola blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Eriogonum microtheca var. lapidicola belong to?
Eriogonum microtheca var. lapidicola is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum microtheca var. lapidicola rare or endangered?
Eriogonum microtheca var. lapidicola carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S2S3.
What habitat does Eriogonum microtheca var. lapidicola grow in?
Eriogonum microtheca var. lapidicola grows in Gravel or rocks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum mohavense — Western mojave wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum molestum — Pineland 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.