Eriogonum palmerianum
Palmer's wild buckwheat
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriogonum palmerianum (Palmer's wild buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by annual habit and compact branching pattern.
Palmer's wild buckwheat is a California native annual found in the southeastern desert and desert mountain regions in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 600 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from March to October, this plant produces white to pink or pale yellow flowers that age to pink or red, with delicate fan-shaped outer lobes. Growing with hairy stems 5 to 30 centimeters tall, it develops distinctive low-spreading branches. Its basal leaves are tomentose on the undersides, measuring 0.5 to 2 centimeters long, with a slightly less hairy upper surface. The plant forms compact inflorescences 5 to 25 centimeters wide with densely clustered flower clusters.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 83 sympatric species; annual habit and compact branching pattern help distinguish
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand or gravel
Elevation: (300)600-2300 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, Mono, Los Angeles, Plumas
Outside California: to southwestern Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico
Bloom period
Eriogonum palmerianum blooms Mar-Oct.
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 palmerianum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum palmerianum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum palmerianum bloom?
Eriogonum palmerianum blooms Mar-Oct.
Where in California does Eriogonum palmerianum grow?
Eriogonum palmerianum occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, Mono, Los Angeles, Plumas, at elevations of (300)600-2300 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum palmerianum belong to?
Eriogonum palmerianum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum palmerianum grow in?
Eriogonum palmerianum 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.