Eriogonum pendulum
Waldo wild buckwheat
(c) Rob Santry, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Eriogonum pendulum (Waldo wild buckwheat) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by NONE sympatric - geographically isolated to Del Norte County.
Waldo wild buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native shrub found in northwestern Klamath Ranges in Del Norte County on serpentine areas at elevations of 200 to 800 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces white flowers in narrow, tomentose inflorescences up to 40 centimeters long. Growing as a compact shrub 20 to 50 centimeters tall with a spread of 20 to 80 centimeters, it has densely woolly stems covered in soft hairs. Its leaves are narrow to wide, measuring 15 to 50 millimeters long and 10 to 30 millimeters wide, with a softly hairy surface on both sides. The small fruits are covered in fine hairs and measure 3 to 5 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE sympatric - geographically isolated to Del Norte County
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine
Elevation: 200-800 m
California counties: Del Norte
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Eriogonum pendulum blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
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 pendulum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum pendulum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum pendulum bloom?
Eriogonum pendulum blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum pendulum grow?
Eriogonum pendulum occurs in Del Norte, at elevations of 200-800 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum pendulum belong to?
Eriogonum pendulum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum pendulum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum pendulum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum plumatella — Yucca wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum polycladon — Sorrel wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum polypodum — Tulare county buckwheat
- Eriogonum prattenianum — Nevada city buckwheat
- Eriogonum prattenianum var. avium — Kettle dome buckwheat
- Eriogonum prattenianum var. prattenianum — Nevada city 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.