Eriogonum pyrolifolium
Shasta buckwheat
(c) J Brew, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by J Brew · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriogonum pyrolifolium (Shasta buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family.
Shasta buckwheat is a California native perennial found in rocky, open areas at elevations of 1,000 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces delicate white to rose-colored flowers in compact clusters 1 to 4 centimeters wide. Growing as a low-spreading mat 0.5 to 3 centimeters in diameter, it forms dense clusters with decumbent stems 3 to 15 centimeters long. Its basal leaves are distinctive, with ovate to nearly round blades 1 to 2.5 centimeters long, densely white-woolly on the undersides and often appearing grayish-green. The plant's compact, mat-forming growth and soft, tomentose leaves make it well-adapted to exposed, rocky habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species; geographically isolated to northern California mountains
Habitat and range
California counties: Shasta, Lassen, Siskiyou
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 pyrolifolium native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum pyrolifolium is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Eriogonum pyrolifolium grow?
Eriogonum pyrolifolium occurs in Shasta, Lassen, Siskiyou.
What plant family does Eriogonum pyrolifolium belong to?
Eriogonum pyrolifolium is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum pyrolifolium var. coryphaeum — Hairy shasta wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum pyrolifolium var. pyrolifolium — Pyrola-leaved buckwheat
- Eriogonum reniforme — Kidney-leaf wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum rixfordii — Pagoda wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum rosense var. rosense — Mount rose wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum roseum — Wand wild 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.