Eriogonum spergulinum
Spurry buckwheat
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriogonum spergulinum (Spurry buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family.
Spurry buckwheat is a California native annual herb found in rocky, open areas at moderate elevations. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces delicate white to pink or rose-colored flowers in small, intricate clusters. Growing with slender stems 5 to 40 centimeters tall, the plant has a delicate, thread-like appearance with sparse branching. Its leaves are linear and narrow, measuring 1 to 3 centimeters long, with margins that occasionally roll underneath. The fruit is a small, elliptic seed approximately 1.5 to 2.3 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated, no sympatric species
Habitat and range
California counties: Fresno, El Dorado, Plumas, Mariposa, Tulare, Mono, Tuolumne, Madera, Kern, Placer, Alpine, Sierra, Trinity, Ventura, Nevada, San Benito, Inyo
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 spergulinum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum spergulinum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Eriogonum spergulinum grow?
Eriogonum spergulinum occurs in Fresno, El Dorado, Plumas, Mariposa, Tulare, Mono, Tuolumne, Madera and other counties.
What plant family does Eriogonum spergulinum belong to?
Eriogonum spergulinum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum sphaerocephalum var. sphaerocephalum — Rock wild buckwheat
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.