Eriogonum ovalifolium var. eximium
Brown-margined buckwheat
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. eximium (Brown-margined buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by brown leaf margins and granite habitat distinctive.
Brown-margined buckwheat is a native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Mountains at Alpine County's Job's Peak in granite habitats at elevations of 1,700 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces delicate white flowers in compact clusters 1 to 2.5 centimeters wide. Growing with small erect stems 1 to 5 centimeters tall that are densely covered in woolly white tomentose hairs, the plant forms a low, spreading cushion up to 3 decimeters in diameter. Its oval leaves are small, ranging from 0.3 to 1.5 centimeters long, densely covered in white felt-like hairs with distinctive brown-tinged margins. The compact, low-growing form and white flowers emerging from a woolly base make this alpine buckwheat a charming high-elevation species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 67 sympatric species; brown leaf margins and granite habitat distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Granite
Elevation: 1700-2500 m
California counties: Siskiyou, El Dorado
Outside California: west-central Nevada
Bloom period
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. eximium blooms Jun-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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. eximium native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum ovalifolium var. eximium is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum ovalifolium var. eximium bloom?
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. eximium blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum ovalifolium var. eximium grow?
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. eximium occurs in Siskiyou, El Dorado, at elevations of 1700-2500 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum ovalifolium var. eximium belong to?
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. eximium is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum ovalifolium var. eximium rare or endangered?
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. eximium carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum palmerianum — Palmer's wild 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.