Eriogonum ovalifolium var. monarchense
Monarch buckwheat
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. monarchense (Monarch buckwheat) is a native California perennial in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by geographic restriction to Kings River Canyon area diagnostic.
Monarch buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada Mountains in the Kings River Canyon area of Fresno County, growing on rocky terrain at elevations around 1,800 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white to cream-colored flowers in compact clusters. Growing with decumbent to ascending stems 2 to 9 centimeters tall and densely covered in soft tomentose hairs, it forms a low, spreading mat approximately 1.5 to 3 decimeters in diameter. Its small oval leaves, measuring 0.3 to 1.2 centimeters long, are also covered in soft tomentose hairs with smooth margins. The compact, tightly clustered flower clusters are 1.5 to 4 centimeters wide, with multiple small involucres 5 to 8 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 67 sympatric species; geographic restriction to Kings River Canyon area diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocks
Elevation: 1800 m
California counties: Fresno
Bloom period
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. monarchense blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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. monarchense native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum ovalifolium var. monarchense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum ovalifolium var. monarchense bloom?
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. monarchense blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Eriogonum ovalifolium var. monarchense grow?
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. monarchense occurs in Fresno, at elevations of 1800 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum ovalifolium var. monarchense belong to?
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. monarchense is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum ovalifolium var. monarchense rare or endangered?
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. monarchense carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum panamintense — Panamint mountain wild buckwheat
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.