Eriogonum nudum var. psychicola
Antioch dunes buckwheat, Antioch Dunes Buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum nudum · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Eriogonum nudum var. psychicola (Antioch dunes buckwheat) is a native California perennial in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Antioch dunes buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in the Deltaic Great Valley in Contra Costa County's sandy habitats at elevations of 3 to 20 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces white to pink flowers in delicate clusters measuring 30 to 100 centimeters wide. Growing with tall, glabrous stems 5 to 15 decimeters in height, it develops an expansive branching structure. Its leaves are notable for their sheathing base and tomentose undersides, with blades 3 to 7 centimeters long and 2 to 4 centimeters wide. The plant's distinctive white to pink flowers, each about 2.5 to 3 millimeters long, emerge in sparse involucres that contribute to its unique appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 3-20 m
Bloom period
Eriogonum nudum var. psychicola blooms Jun-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. psychicola native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum nudum var. psychicola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum nudum var. psychicola bloom?
Eriogonum nudum var. psychicola blooms Jun-Oct.
What plant family does Eriogonum nudum var. psychicola belong to?
Eriogonum nudum var. psychicola is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum nudum var. psychicola rare or endangered?
Eriogonum nudum var. psychicola carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Eriogonum nudum var. psychicola grow in?
Eriogonum nudum var. psychicola grows in Sand.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum nudum var. pubiflorum — Fremont's wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum nudum var. regirivum — Kings river buckwheat
- Eriogonum nudum var. scapigerum — Sierran crest wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum nudum var. westonii — Weston's wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum nummulare — Money wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum nutans — Dugway buckwheat
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.