Eriogonum ovalifolium var. caelestinum
Heavenly wild buckwheat, Heavenly Wild Buckwheat
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. caelestinum (Heavenly wild buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by very small size and high elevation rocky habitat diagnostic.
Heavenly wild buckwheat is a California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains, specifically in Bloody Canyon of Mono County, growing on rocky terrain at elevations of 3,000 to 3,600 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces small yellow flowers in compact clusters 1 to 2 centimeters wide. Growing as a compact cushion-like plant 5 to 10 centimeters in diameter with erect stems 1 to 6 centimeters tall that are noticeably hairy. Its small oval leaves are dense and tomentose, measuring just 2 to 5 millimeters long with soft, pale surfaces. The plant forms tight, low-growing mats characteristic of high alpine environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 67 sympatric species; very small size and high elevation rocky habitat diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocks
Elevation: 3000-3600 m
Outside California: central Nevada
Bloom period
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. caelestinum blooms Jul-Aug.
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 ovalifolium var. caelestinum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum ovalifolium var. caelestinum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum ovalifolium var. caelestinum bloom?
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. caelestinum blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Eriogonum ovalifolium var. caelestinum belong to?
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. caelestinum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum ovalifolium var. caelestinum grow in?
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. caelestinum grows in Rocks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum — Depressed wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum ovalifolium var. eximium — Brown-margined buckwheat
- Eriogonum ovalifolium var. monarchense — Monarch buckwheat
- Eriogonum ovalifolium var. nivale — Sierran cushion wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum ovalifolium var. ovalifolium — Cushion wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum ovalifolium var. purpureum — Purple cushion wild buckwheat
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.