Eriogonum pyrolifolium var. coryphaeum
Hairy shasta wild buckwheat, Hairy Shasta Wild Buckwheat
(c) J Brew, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by J Brew · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriogonum pyrolifolium var. coryphaeum (Hairy shasta wild buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by dense hair on flowers and whitish fuzzy coating on leaf undersides.
Hairy shasta wild buckwheat is a California native perennial found in the northwestern Klamath Ranges in sandy habitats at elevations of 1,600 to 3,100 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces delicate white flowers with densely hairy glandular surfaces. Growing prostrate to weakly erect with stems 4 to 15 centimeters tall, it has a distinctive low-spreading growth habit. Its leaves have tomentose (woolly) undersides while appearing generally smooth on top, creating a soft textural contrast. The plant's compact form and sandy habitat adaptation make it a subtle but resilient species of the high mountain landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinguished by dense hair on flowers and whitish fuzzy coating on leaf undersides
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 1600-3100 m
Outside California: to southern British Columbia, western Montana
Bloom period
Eriogonum pyrolifolium var. coryphaeum blooms Jun-Sep.
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 var. coryphaeum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum pyrolifolium var. coryphaeum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum pyrolifolium var. coryphaeum bloom?
Eriogonum pyrolifolium var. coryphaeum blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Eriogonum pyrolifolium var. coryphaeum belong to?
Eriogonum pyrolifolium var. coryphaeum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum pyrolifolium var. coryphaeum grow in?
Eriogonum pyrolifolium var. coryphaeum grows in Sand.
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.