Eriogonum nummulare
Money wild buckwheat
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Eriogonum nummulare (Money wild buckwheat) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by shrubby habit and distinctive round, silvery leaves.
Money wild buckwheat is a California native shrub found in southern Modoc Plateau and southeastern Sierra Nevada regions in sandy habitats at elevations of 800 to 2,600 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces white flowers in delicate clusters with obovate perianth lobes. Growing 1.5 to 8 meters tall with a rounded form of 3 to 12 meters in diameter, it develops tomentose (woolly) stems and branches. Its cauline leaves are narrow to rounded, measuring 1 to 3 centimeters long and covered in soft, woolly tomentum. The compact shrub produces small fruits 2 to 3 millimeters long, contributing to its distinctive appearance in sandy landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 72 sympatric species; key features are shrubby habit and distinctive round, silvery leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand
Elevation: 800-2600 m
California counties: Lassen, Mono, Inyo
Outside California: to western Utah
Bloom period
Eriogonum nummulare blooms Jul-Oct.
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 nummulare native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum nummulare is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum nummulare bloom?
Eriogonum nummulare blooms Jul-Oct.
Where in California does Eriogonum nummulare grow?
Eriogonum nummulare occurs in Lassen, Mono, Inyo, at elevations of 800-2600 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum nummulare belong to?
Eriogonum nummulare is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum nummulare grow in?
Eriogonum nummulare grows in Common. Sand.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.