Eriogonum ochrocephalum var. ochrocephalum
Ochre-flowered buckwheat, Ochre-Flowered Buckwheat
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Eriogonum ochrocephalum var. ochrocephalum (Ochre-flowered buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family.
Ochre-flowered buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the Modoc Plateau in clay habitats at elevations of 1,300 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces yellow flowers in dense head-like clusters approximately 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters wide. Growing as a low-spreading mat with stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms compact perennial clusters with glandular stems beneath the flower heads. Its basal leaves are densely tomentose, measuring 1 to 2 centimeters long and 0.5 to 1 centimeter wide, forming a compact ground-hugging rosette. The small yellow flowers have widely oblong perianth lobes, creating delicate clusters characteristic of this distinctive buckwheat variety.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 45 sympatric species; yellow flowers and clay habitat are key differentiators
Habitat and range
Habitat: Clay
Elevation: 1300-1700 m
California counties: Lassen, Mono
Outside California: southeastern Oregon, northwestern Nevada
Bloom period
Eriogonum ochrocephalum var. ochrocephalum blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
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 ochrocephalum var. ochrocephalum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum ochrocephalum var. ochrocephalum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum ochrocephalum var. ochrocephalum bloom?
Eriogonum ochrocephalum var. ochrocephalum blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Eriogonum ochrocephalum var. ochrocephalum grow?
Eriogonum ochrocephalum var. ochrocephalum occurs in Lassen, Mono, at elevations of 1300-1700 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum ochrocephalum var. ochrocephalum belong to?
Eriogonum ochrocephalum var. ochrocephalum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum ochrocephalum var. ochrocephalum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum ochrocephalum var. ochrocephalum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum ordii — Fort mohave wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum ovalifolium — Cushion buckwheat
- Eriogonum ovalifolium var. caelestinum — Heavenly wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum — Depressed wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum ovalifolium var. eximium — Brown-margined buckwheat
- Eriogonum ovalifolium var. monarchense — Monarch buckwheat
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.