Eriogonum siskiyouense
Siskiyou buckwheat
no rights reserved, uploaded by Alex Heyman · CC0
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Eriogonum siskiyouense (Siskiyou buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by serpentine habitat and reflexed involucre teeth diagnostic.
Siskiyou buckwheat is a California native perennial found in the eastern Klamath Ranges, specifically in the Mount Eddy and Scott Mountains, growing on serpentine terrain at elevations of 1,600 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces yellow flowers in compact heads about 1 centimeter wide with distinctive reflexed involucre teeth. Growing as a matted perennial with stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms dense ground-covering clusters up to 5 decimeters in diameter. Its basal leaves are small, about 5 to 8 millimeters long, with a dense whitish tomentose undersurface that contrasts with the sparsely hairy upper surface. The involucres are woolly and tomentose, with 6 to 10 lobe-like teeth that give the flowering heads a distinctive textured appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 45 sympatric species; serpentine habitat and reflexed involucre teeth diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine
Elevation: 1600-2800 m
California counties: Trinity, Siskiyou
Bloom period
Eriogonum siskiyouense blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 siskiyouense native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum siskiyouense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum siskiyouense bloom?
Eriogonum siskiyouense blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum siskiyouense grow?
Eriogonum siskiyouense occurs in Trinity, Siskiyou, at elevations of 1600-2800 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum siskiyouense belong to?
Eriogonum siskiyouense is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum siskiyouense rare or endangered?
Eriogonum siskiyouense carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum sp. — Wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum spectabile — Barron's buckwheat
- Eriogonum spergulinum — Spurry buckwheat
- Eriogonum spergulinum var. pratense — Mountain meadow wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum spergulinum var. reddingianum — Redding's wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum spergulinum var. spergulinum — Spurry wild buckwheat
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.