Eriogonum nervulosum
Snow mountain buckwheat, Snow Mountain Buckwheat
(c) Stan Shebs, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Eriogonum nervulosum (Snow mountain buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by serpentine habitat and distinctive wavy hairs.
Snow mountain buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern North Coast Ranges and central North Coast Interior Ranges in serpentine habitats at elevations of 400 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces white to pink-rose or deep red flowers in compact clusters approximately 1 to 2 centimeters wide. Growing as a low mat spreading 1 to 3 decimeters in diameter, it develops stems 2 to 6 centimeters tall with long, soft, wavy hairs. Its basal leaves are small, 4 to 8 millimeters long, with tomentose undersides and occasionally rolled margins. The fruit is 4.5 to 5 millimeters long and glabrous.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 29 sympatric species; key features are serpentine habitat and distinctive wavy hairs
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine
Elevation: 400-2100 m
California counties: Lake, Sonoma, Colusa, Napa, Glenn
Bloom period
Eriogonum nervulosum blooms May-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 nervulosum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum nervulosum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum nervulosum bloom?
Eriogonum nervulosum blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Eriogonum nervulosum grow?
Eriogonum nervulosum occurs in Lake, Sonoma, Colusa, Napa, Glenn, at elevations of 400-2100 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum nervulosum belong to?
Eriogonum nervulosum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum nervulosum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum nervulosum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.