Eriogonum microtheca var. laxiflorum
Great basin wild buckwheat, Great Basin Wild Buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum microtheca · (c) Jared Shorma, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Eriogonum microtheca var. laxiflorum (Great basin wild buckwheat) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by . Key features: loose inflorescence, narrow leaves, glabrous involucres.
Great basin wild buckwheat is a California native shrub found in the eastern Sierra Nevada and Great Basin regions on sandy, gravelly, or rocky terrain at elevations of 1,500 to 3,200 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces white to pink or rose-colored flowers in delicate clusters 2 to 4 centimeters long. Growing as a compact subshrub 20 to 40 centimeters tall with a spread of 30 to 80 centimeters, it develops dense, woolly stems and branches. Its narrow leaves, measuring 1 to 2 centimeters long and 2 to 6 millimeters wide, are covered in soft, felt-like hair on both surfaces. The small fruits are approximately 2 to 3 millimeters long, complementing the plant's intricate texture and form.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 102 sympatric species. Key features: loose inflorescence, narrow leaves, glabrous involucres
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand, gravel or rocks
Elevation: (400)1500-3200 m
Outside California: to Washington, Montana, Colorado, northern Arizona
Bloom period
Eriogonum microtheca var. laxiflorum blooms Jun-Oct.
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. laxiflorum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum microtheca var. laxiflorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum microtheca var. laxiflorum bloom?
Eriogonum microtheca var. laxiflorum blooms Jun-Oct.
What plant family does Eriogonum microtheca var. laxiflorum belong to?
Eriogonum microtheca var. laxiflorum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum microtheca var. laxiflorum grow in?
Eriogonum microtheca var. laxiflorum grows in Common. Sand, gravel or rocks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum nervulosum — Snow mountain buckwheat
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.