Eriogonum saxatile
Hoary wild buckwheat
(c) Caleb Catto, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriogonum saxatile (Hoary wild buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by winged flower stalks and large flowers somewhat distinctive.
Hoary wild buckwheat is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada, central western, southwestern, southern eastern Sierra Nevada, and desert mountains in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 800 to 3,400 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces white to rose or pale yellow flowers in clusters 5 to 12 centimeters wide. Growing as a low mat forming plants 1 to 4 decimeters wide with tomentose stems generally 0.5 to 1.5 decimeters tall, it spreads horizontally across rocky terrain. Its basal leaves are approximately round, 1 to 2 centimeters long, and densely covered in soft white hairs. The plant forms compact, low-growing clusters with delicate white to rose-colored flower clusters emerging from dense, woolly foliage.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 177 sympatric species; winged flower stalks and large flowers somewhat distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand or gravel
Elevation: (300)800-3400 m
Outside California: southern Nevada
Bloom period
Eriogonum saxatile blooms May-Oct.
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 saxatile native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum saxatile is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum saxatile bloom?
Eriogonum saxatile blooms May-Oct.
What plant family does Eriogonum saxatile belong to?
Eriogonum saxatile is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum saxatile grow in?
Eriogonum saxatile grows in Common. 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.