Eriogonum parishii
Parish's wild buckwheat, Parish's Wild Buckwheat
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriogonum parishii (Parish's wild buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by extremely small flowers (0.5-0.9mm).
Parish's wild buckwheat is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, and northern White Mountains in sandy habitats at elevations of 1,300 to 3,200 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces delicate pink to red flowers that age to white, clustered in wide branching inflorescences up to 50 centimeters across. Growing 10 to 40 centimeters tall with slender, glabrous stems that become glandular toward the tips, it forms an open, spreading habit. Its basal leaves are notably coarse-hairy, measuring 2 to 6 centimeters long and 0.5 to 2 centimeters wide, providing textural interest to the plant's appearance. The small involucres have four distinct teeth, and the fruits are compact, measuring 1 to 1.3 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 118 sympatric species; extremely small flowers (0.5-0.9mm) are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand
Elevation: (1000)1300-3200 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, Imperial
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Eriogonum parishii blooms Jun-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 parishii native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum parishii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum parishii bloom?
Eriogonum parishii blooms Jun-Oct.
Where in California does Eriogonum parishii grow?
Eriogonum parishii occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, Imperial, at elevations of (1000)1300-3200 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum parishii belong to?
Eriogonum parishii is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum parishii grow in?
Eriogonum parishii grows in Common. Sand.
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.