Eriogonum prattenianum var. avium
Kettle dome buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum prattenianum · (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Eriogonum prattenianum var. avium (Kettle dome buckwheat) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by NONE sympatric - geographically isolated subspecies.
Kettle dome buckwheat is a rare California native shrub ranked 4.2 by CNPS, found in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains in Madera and Fresno counties, growing among rocky habitats at elevations of 1,000 to 2,900 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces small flowers in compact clusters with distinctive reflexed involucre teeth. Growing as a low subshrub 10 to 20 centimeters tall with a compact, spreading form, it develops woody stems with a distinctive branching pattern. Its leaves are notable for being tomentose (densely woolly) on the undersides while appearing nearly smooth on the upper surfaces, creating a soft, textured appearance. The small flower clusters emerge from these densely textured leaves, creating a delicate contrast between the plant's sturdy structure and its fine, intricate flowering details.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE sympatric - geographically isolated subspecies
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocks
Elevation: 1000-2900 m
California counties: Fresno, Madera
Bloom period
Eriogonum prattenianum var. avium blooms Jul-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 prattenianum var. avium native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum prattenianum var. avium is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum prattenianum var. avium bloom?
Eriogonum prattenianum var. avium blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Eriogonum prattenianum var. avium grow?
Eriogonum prattenianum var. avium occurs in Fresno, Madera, at elevations of 1000-2900 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum prattenianum var. avium belong to?
Eriogonum prattenianum var. avium is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum prattenianum var. avium rare or endangered?
Eriogonum prattenianum var. avium carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum prattenianum var. prattenianum — Nevada city wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum prociduum — Prostrate buckwheat
- Eriogonum pusillum — Yellow turbans
- Eriogonum pyrolifolium — Shasta buckwheat
- Eriogonum pyrolifolium var. coryphaeum — Hairy shasta wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum pyrolifolium var. pyrolifolium — Pyrola-leaved 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.