Eriogonum microtheca var. panamintense
Panamint mountains buckwheat, Panamint Mountains Buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum microtheca · (c) Jared Shorma, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Eriogonum microtheca var. panamintense (Panamint mountains buckwheat) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by . Key features: Panamint Range habitat, larger shrub size, rocky substrates.
Panamint mountains buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native shrub found in southern Inyo Mountains and northern Death Mountains in rocky terrain at elevations of 1,900 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces white to slightly red flowers in compact clusters. Growing 3 to 6 decimeters tall with a spread of 5 to 12 decimeters, the shrub features generally hairy stems and branches. Its leaves are small, tomentose underneath, with blades 0.6 to 1.8 centimeters long and 0.3 to 0.8 centimeters wide. The fruit is 1.8 to 2 millimeters long, contributing to its distinctive compact form.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 57 sympatric species. Key features: Panamint Range habitat, larger shrub size, rocky substrates
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocks
Elevation: 1900-2800 m
Bloom period
Eriogonum microtheca var. panamintense 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 microtheca var. panamintense native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum microtheca var. panamintense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum microtheca var. panamintense bloom?
Eriogonum microtheca var. panamintense blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Eriogonum microtheca var. panamintense belong to?
Eriogonum microtheca var. panamintense is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum microtheca var. panamintense rare or endangered?
Eriogonum microtheca var. panamintense carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Eriogonum microtheca var. panamintense grow in?
Eriogonum microtheca var. panamintense grows in Rocks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum nidularium — Birdnest 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.