Eriogonum spergulinum var. pratense
Mountain meadow wild buckwheat, Mountain Meadow Wild Buckwheat
(c) Tom Hilton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Hilton · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Eriogonum spergulinum var. pratense (Mountain meadow wild buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by prostrate habit and high elevation habitat help separate from other varieties.
Mountain meadow wild buckwheat is a California native annual found in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains in sandy habitats at elevations of 2,800 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces small white to pale cream-colored flowers in delicate clusters. Growing prostrate to ascending with slender stems 5 to 10 centimeters tall, it spreads low across sandy mountain meadows. Its leaves are small and compact, forming dense clusters close to the ground. The plant's distinctive prostrate growth habit allows it to thrive in challenging high-elevation sandy environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 67 sympatric species; prostrate habit and high elevation habitat help separate from other varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: (2500)2800-3500 m
Bloom period
Eriogonum spergulinum var. pratense blooms Jul-Aug.
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 spergulinum var. pratense native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum spergulinum var. pratense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum spergulinum var. pratense bloom?
Eriogonum spergulinum var. pratense blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Eriogonum spergulinum var. pratense belong to?
Eriogonum spergulinum var. pratense is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum spergulinum var. pratense rare or endangered?
Eriogonum spergulinum var. pratense carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Eriogonum spergulinum var. pratense grow in?
Eriogonum spergulinum var. pratense grows in Sand.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum strictum — Blue mountain 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.