Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum
Depressed wild buckwheat, Depressed Wild Buckwheat
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum (Depressed wild buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by dry playa habitat is unique and diagnostic.
Depressed wild buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native perennial found in eastern Lassen County in dry playas at elevations around 1,700 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white to rose-colored flowers in compact clusters 1 to 1.5 centimeters wide. Growing low and spreading, with a diameter of 1 to 2.5 decimeters and stems 1 to 4 centimeters tall that are softly hairy, it forms a low, ground-hugging structure. Its small oval leaves are 4 to 8 millimeters long, densely covered in soft tomentose hairs. The delicate white to rose-colored flowers are 4 to 5 millimeters long, nestled among its soft, grayish foliage.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 45 sympatric species; dry playa habitat is unique and diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry playas
Elevation: 1700 m
California counties: Lassen, Mono
Outside California: to western Montana, western Utah, western Wyoming
Bloom period
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 ovalifolium var. depressum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum bloom?
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum grow?
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum occurs in Lassen, Mono, at elevations of 1700 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum belong to?
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum ovalifolium var. vineum — Cushenbury 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.