Eriogonum nortonii
Pinnacles buckwheat
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Eriogonum nortonii (Pinnacles buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by limited range and prostrate stems with large involucres.
Pinnacles buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native annual found in northern South Coast Ranges, including Gabilan and eastern Santa Lucia ranges in San Benito and Monterey counties, growing in sandy habitats at elevations of 300 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces delicate white to rose-colored flowers in wide branching clusters up to 30 centimeters across. Growing prostrate with slender stems 1 to 20 centimeters long, it spreads low and flat across sandy ground. Its leaves are rounded, about 5 to 15 millimeters long, with a soft white-woolly underside and relatively smooth upper surface. The tiny flowers cluster in involucres with 6 to 8 small teeth, creating intricate delicate formations across the plant's low-growing structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 41 sympatric species; key features are limited range and prostrate stems with large involucres
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 300-1200 m
California counties: Monterey, San Benito, Alameda
Bloom period
Eriogonum nortonii blooms May-Aug.
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 nortonii native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum nortonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum nortonii bloom?
Eriogonum nortonii blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Eriogonum nortonii grow?
Eriogonum nortonii occurs in Monterey, San Benito, Alameda, at elevations of 300-1200 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum nortonii belong to?
Eriogonum nortonii is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum nortonii rare or endangered?
Eriogonum nortonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, 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.