Eriogonum prattenianum var. prattenianum
Nevada city wild buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum prattenianum · (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Eriogonum prattenianum var. prattenianum (Nevada city wild buckwheat) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by NONE sympatric - geographically isolated variety.
Nevada city wild buckwheat is a California native perennial found in northern and central Sierra Nevada in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 800 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white to cream-colored flowers in compact clusters with involucres 5 to 8 millimeters wide. Growing as a low mat or subshrub 30 to 50 centimeters tall with spreading growth habit, it forms dense ground-covering clusters. Its leaves are distinctively tomentose (densely woolly), with soft, fuzzy leaf blades that provide texture and protection in its dry, exposed habitat. The flower involucres have small erect to slightly reflexed teeth 1 to 2 millimeters long, adding delicate structural detail to its inflorescence.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE sympatric - geographically isolated variety
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand or gravel
Elevation: 800-2200 m
California counties: Mariposa, Nevada, Tuolumne, Calaveras, El Dorado, Placer, Madera
Bloom period
Eriogonum prattenianum var. prattenianum blooms May-Jul.
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. prattenianum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum prattenianum var. prattenianum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum prattenianum var. prattenianum bloom?
Eriogonum prattenianum var. prattenianum blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Eriogonum prattenianum var. prattenianum grow?
Eriogonum prattenianum var. prattenianum occurs in Mariposa, Nevada, Tuolumne, Calaveras, El Dorado, Placer, Madera, at elevations of 800-2200 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum prattenianum var. prattenianum belong to?
Eriogonum prattenianum var. prattenianum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum prattenianum var. prattenianum grow in?
Eriogonum prattenianum var. prattenianum grows in Sand or gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.