Eriogonum nudum var. scapigerum
Sierran crest wild buckwheat, Sierran Crest Wild Buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum nudum · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriogonum nudum var. scapigerum (Sierran crest wild buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Sierran crest wild buckwheat is a California native perennial found in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains in sandy, gravelly, or rocky habitats at elevations of 2,800 to 3,800 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces delicate white flowers in compact heads 2 to 5 centimeters wide. Growing with slender stems 10 to 18 centimeters tall that are smooth and glabrous, it forms low-growing clusters in alpine environments. Its basal leaves are distinctive, measuring 1 to 2 centimeters long and up to 0.8 centimeters wide, with a soft, woolly underside and generally smooth upper surface. The plant's white flowers, each 2 to 3 millimeters long, emerge in tight, head-like clusters that dot the high-elevation rocky terrain.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand, gravel or rocks
Elevation: 2800-3800 m
California counties: Fresno, Tulare, Inyo, Madera, Mono, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Lassen
Bloom period
Eriogonum nudum var. scapigerum blooms Jul-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 nudum var. scapigerum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum nudum var. scapigerum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum nudum var. scapigerum bloom?
Eriogonum nudum var. scapigerum blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum nudum var. scapigerum grow?
Eriogonum nudum var. scapigerum occurs in Fresno, Tulare, Inyo, Madera, Mono, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Lassen, at elevations of 2800-3800 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum nudum var. scapigerum belong to?
Eriogonum nudum var. scapigerum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum nudum var. scapigerum grow in?
Eriogonum nudum var. scapigerum grows in Sand, gravel or rocks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum nudum var. westonii — Weston's wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum nummulare — Money wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum nutans — Dugway buckwheat
- Eriogonum nutans var. glabratum — Deeth wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum nutans var. nutans — Dugway wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum ochrocephalum var. ochrocephalum — Ochre-flowered buckwheat
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.