Eriogonum rixfordii
Pagoda wild buckwheat
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Adam J. Searcy · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriogonum rixfordii (Pagoda wild buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by distinctive tiered pagoda-like flower arrangement.
Pagoda wild buckwheat is a California native annual found in the northeastern Death Valley region in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 100 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from June to December, this plant produces white to reddish flowers in distinctive horizontal-tiered inflorescences 10 to 35 centimeters wide. Growing 20 to 40 centimeters tall with glabrous stems, it forms an open, expansive structure with multiple horizontal branches. Its basal leaves are approximately round, 1 to 3 centimeters long, with dense white tomentum on the undersides and a smoother upper surface. The plant's unique pagoda-like branching structure and white to reddish flowers make it a distinctive annual in the desert landscape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive tiered pagoda-like flower arrangement
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand or gravel
Elevation: (30)100-1600 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino
Outside California: southwestern Nevada
Bloom period
Eriogonum rixfordii blooms Jun-Dec.
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 rixfordii native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum rixfordii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum rixfordii bloom?
Eriogonum rixfordii blooms Jun-Dec.
Where in California does Eriogonum rixfordii grow?
Eriogonum rixfordii occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, at elevations of (30)100-1600 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum rixfordii belong to?
Eriogonum rixfordii is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum rixfordii grow in?
Eriogonum rixfordii 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.