Eriogonum mohavense
Western mojave wild buckwheat
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriogonum mohavense (Western mojave wild buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by annual habit and yellow flowers on glabrous branches.
Western mojave wild buckwheat is a California native annual found in western Mojave Desert regions in sandy habitats at elevations of 600 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces yellow flowers with narrowly oblong to elliptic perianth lobes. Growing 10 to 30 centimeters tall with glabrous stems and branches, it develops as a delicate, open-structured annual. Its basal leaves are distinctive, with round blades about 6 to 20 millimeters long, covered in soft white tomentose indumentum. The small elliptic fruits are approximately 1 to 1.2 millimeters long, complementing the plant's subtle desert adaptation.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 57 sympatric species; key features are annual habit and yellow flowers on glabrous branches
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 600-1200 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, Riverside, Inyo, Orange
Bloom period
Eriogonum mohavense blooms May-Sep.
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 mohavense native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum mohavense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum mohavense bloom?
Eriogonum mohavense blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum mohavense grow?
Eriogonum mohavense occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, Riverside, Inyo, Orange, at elevations of 600-1200 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum mohavense belong to?
Eriogonum mohavense is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum mohavense grow in?
Eriogonum mohavense grows in Sand.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.