Eriogonum nudum var. decurrens
Ben lomond buckwheat, Ben Lomond Buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum nudum · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Eriogonum nudum var. decurrens (Ben lomond buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by Santa Cruz Sandhills endemic; inflated tomentose stems, woolly 1–2-per-cluster involucres.
Ben lomond buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in the southern San Francisco Bay area's Santa Cruz Sandhills in sandy habitats at elevations of 90 to 200 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces white flowers in delicate, open clusters up to 60 centimeters wide. Growing with tall stems 50 to 120 centimeters high that are tomentose and generally inflated, it has a distinctively woolly appearance. Its leaves are narrow, 1 to 3 centimeters long, with woolly undersides and sparse hairs on the upper surface. The plant forms expansive, open branching patterns that create an airy, elegant silhouette in its sandy coastal habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Santa Cruz Sandhills endemic; inflated tomentose stems, woolly 1–2-per-cluster involucres
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 90-200 m
Bloom period
Eriogonum nudum var. decurrens blooms Jul-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 nudum var. decurrens native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum nudum var. decurrens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum nudum var. decurrens bloom?
Eriogonum nudum var. decurrens blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Eriogonum nudum var. decurrens belong to?
Eriogonum nudum var. decurrens is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum nudum var. decurrens rare or endangered?
Eriogonum nudum var. decurrens carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Eriogonum nudum var. decurrens grow in?
Eriogonum nudum var. decurrens grows in Sand.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum nudum var. deductum — Reduced wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum nudum var. indictum — Protruding buckwheat
- Eriogonum nudum var. murinum — Mouse buckwheat
- Eriogonum nudum var. nudum — Naked wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum nudum var. oblongifolium — Harford's wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum nudum var. paralinum — Del norte buckwheat
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.