Eriogonum polypodum
Tulare county buckwheat, Tulare County Buckwheat
(c) Nina House, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Eriogonum polypodum (Tulare county buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by chalky white flowers and southern Sierra location.
Tulare county buckwheat is a native perennial herb ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, especially Tulare County, in sandy habitats at elevations of 2,800 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces chalky white flowers in compact heads 0.5 to 2 centimeters wide. Growing as a low spreading mat 1 to 4 decimeters in diameter, it develops tomentose stems reaching 5 to 15 centimeters tall. Its basal leaves are small and woolly, measuring 2 to 10 millimeters long, with dense tomentose surfaces that become smoother over time. The plant is generally dioecious, with distinctive chalky white perianth lobes that are oblong to narrowly obovate in shape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 67 sympatric species; chalky white flowers and southern Sierra location help distinguish
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: (2400)2800-3500 m
California counties: Tulare, Fresno, Sonoma, Inyo
Bloom period
Eriogonum polypodum blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 polypodum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum polypodum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum polypodum bloom?
Eriogonum polypodum blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum polypodum grow?
Eriogonum polypodum occurs in Tulare, Fresno, Sonoma, Inyo, at elevations of (2400)2800-3500 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum polypodum belong to?
Eriogonum polypodum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum polypodum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum polypodum carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.