Eriogonum polycladon
Sorrel wild buckwheat
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriogonum polycladon (Sorrel wild buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by NONE sympatric - geographically isolated to southeastern Mojave Desert.
Sorrel wild buckwheat is a California native annual found in the southeastern Mojave Desert near Needles, San Bernardino County, in sandy habitats at elevations of 500 to 2,200 meters. Flowering throughout the year, this plant produces white to pink or red flowers tiny in size with distinctive widely fan-shaped outer lobes. Growing 10 to 60 centimeters tall with tomentose (densely woolly) stems, the plant has a delicate, spreading form. Its cauline leaves are small, measuring 1 to 3 centimeters long and 0.5 to 1.5 centimeters wide, also covered in dense tomentose indumentum. The fruit is small, measuring 1 to 1.3 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE sympatric - geographically isolated to southeastern Mojave Desert
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: (200)500-2200 m
Outside California: Arizona, southern Utah, to western Texas, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Eriogonum polycladon blooms All year.
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 polycladon native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum polycladon is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum polycladon bloom?
Eriogonum polycladon blooms All year.
What plant family does Eriogonum polycladon belong to?
Eriogonum polycladon is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum polycladon grow in?
Eriogonum polycladon grows in Sand.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.