Eriogonum molestum
Pineland wild buckwheat
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriogonum molestum (Pineland wild buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by tall annual habit and large involucres.
Pineland wild buckwheat is a California native annual herb found in northern Western Transverse Ranges, San Bernardino Mountains, and Peninsular Ranges in sandy habitats at elevations of 1,100 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces white to pink flowers with delicate oblong-obovate perianth lobes. Growing 40 to 100 centimeters tall with glabrous stems, it develops an open, spreading branching pattern up to 50 centimeters wide. Its basal leaves are approximately round, 1 to 4 centimeters long, with a distinctively woolly undersurface and sparsely hairy upper surface. The fruit is small, smooth, and measures 2 to 2.5 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 61 sympatric species; key features are tall annual habit and large involucres
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 1100-2200 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Orange, Imperial, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Monterey, El Dorado, Kern
Bloom period
Eriogonum molestum 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 molestum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum molestum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum molestum bloom?
Eriogonum molestum blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum molestum grow?
Eriogonum molestum occurs in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Orange, Imperial, Ventura, Santa Barbara and other counties, at elevations of 1100-2200 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum molestum belong to?
Eriogonum molestum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum molestum grow in?
Eriogonum molestum 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.