Eriogonum spectabile
Barron's buckwheat
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Eriogonum spectabile (Barron's buckwheat) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by shrubby habit and long flower stalks distinctive.
Barron's buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in the northeastern California Ranges near Chester, Lassen County, growing in gravelly habitats at elevations around 2,000 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces white flowers with delicate obovate perianth lobes in small clustered inflorescences. Growing as a compact shrub 10 to 15 centimeters tall with a spread of 17 to 25 centimeters, it features densely tomentose (woolly) stems and branches. Its leaves are primarily basal, with small blades 12 to 17 millimeters long and occasionally rolled margins, covered in a soft tomentose texture. The fruit is small, 3 to 4 millimeters long and covered in fine hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 35 sympatric species; shrubby habit and long flower stalks distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravel
Elevation: 2000 m
Bloom period
Eriogonum spectabile blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 spectabile native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum spectabile is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum spectabile bloom?
Eriogonum spectabile blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Eriogonum spectabile belong to?
Eriogonum spectabile is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum spectabile rare or endangered?
Eriogonum spectabile carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Eriogonum spectabile grow in?
Eriogonum spectabile grows in Gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum sphaerocephalum — Rock buckwheat
- Eriogonum sphaerocephalum var. halimioides — Halimium wild buckwheat
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.