Eriogonum plumatella
Yucca wild buckwheat, Yucca Wild Buckwheat
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Eriogonum plumatella (Yucca wild buckwheat) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by zigzag tiered branching pattern.
Yucca wild buckwheat is a native shrub found in desert bioregions on sandy or gravelly sites at elevations of 400 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from April to October, this plant produces white to pale yellow flowers in small clusters with delicate, tiered branches. Growing 3 to 10 decimeters tall with a spreading 3 to 6 decimeter diameter, it has distinctive zigzag branching patterns. Its leaves are small, measuring 0.6 to 1.5 centimeters long and 0.2 to 0.3 centimeters wide, typically covered in a soft, felt-like tomentose surface. The fruit is a small, smooth 2.5 to 3 millimeter structure characteristic of wild buckwheat species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 58 sympatric species; zigzag tiered branching pattern is diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand or gravel
Elevation: 400-1700 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Tehama
Outside California: to southern Nevada, northwestern Arizona
Bloom period
Eriogonum plumatella blooms Apr-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 plumatella native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum plumatella is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum plumatella bloom?
Eriogonum plumatella blooms Apr-Oct.
Where in California does Eriogonum plumatella grow?
Eriogonum plumatella occurs in San Bernardino, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Tehama, at elevations of 400-1700 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum plumatella belong to?
Eriogonum plumatella is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum plumatella grow in?
Eriogonum plumatella grows in Common. Sand or gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum prociduum — Prostrate buckwheat
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.