Eriogonum ovalifolium var. purpureum
Purple cushion wild buckwheat
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. purpureum (Purple cushion wild buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by large size and purple-tinged flowers help distinguish from many congeners.
Purple cushion wild buckwheat is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, eastern California high mountains, and Great Basin in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 700 to 3,100 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces white to rose or purple flowers in compact clusters 1.5 to 3.5 centimeters wide. Growing as a dense cushion 2.5 to 4 meters in diameter with erect stems 5 to 20 centimeters tall, covered in soft tomentose hairs. Its oval leaf blades are 0.5 to 2 centimeters long, also densely hairy, forming a compact mat-like growth. The plant produces numerous small involucres 4 to 5 millimeters long, creating a distinctive low-growing, tightly clustered appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 128 sympatric species; large size and purple-tinged flowers help distinguish from many congeners
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand or gravel
Elevation: 700-3100 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono, Lassen, Placer, Siskiyou, Plumas
Outside California: to southwestern Canada, western Colorado, northwestern New Mexico
Bloom period
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. purpureum blooms Apr-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. purpureum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum ovalifolium var. purpureum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum ovalifolium var. purpureum bloom?
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. purpureum blooms Apr-Aug.
Where in California does Eriogonum ovalifolium var. purpureum grow?
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. purpureum occurs in Inyo, Mono, Lassen, Placer, Siskiyou, Plumas, at elevations of 700-3100 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum ovalifolium var. purpureum belong to?
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. purpureum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum ovalifolium var. purpureum grow in?
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. purpureum grows in Common. Sand or gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.