Eriogonum sphaerocephalum var. sphaerocephalum
Rock wild buckwheat
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Eriogonum sphaerocephalum var. sphaerocephalum (Rock wild buckwheat) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by bright yellow flowers distinguish from var. halimioides.
Rock wild buckwheat is a California native shrub found in northern Sierra Nevada and Modoc Plateau in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 300 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces bright yellow flowers in dense, spherical clusters. Growing with woody, spreading branches 15 to 45 centimeters tall, it forms a compact, rounded shape. Its leaves are clustered near the base of the plant, small and gray-green, forming tight rosettes around the stem. The fruit is a small, dry capsule characteristic of the wild buckwheat family.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 86 sympatric species; bright yellow flowers distinguish from var. halimioides
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand or gravel
Elevation: (100)300-2000 m
California counties: Lassen, Modoc
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Eriogonum sphaerocephalum var. sphaerocephalum blooms May-Jul.
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 sphaerocephalum var. sphaerocephalum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum sphaerocephalum var. sphaerocephalum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum sphaerocephalum var. sphaerocephalum bloom?
Eriogonum sphaerocephalum var. sphaerocephalum blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Eriogonum sphaerocephalum var. sphaerocephalum grow?
Eriogonum sphaerocephalum var. sphaerocephalum occurs in Lassen, Modoc, at elevations of (100)300-2000 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum sphaerocephalum var. sphaerocephalum belong to?
Eriogonum sphaerocephalum var. sphaerocephalum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum sphaerocephalum var. sphaerocephalum grow in?
Eriogonum sphaerocephalum var. sphaerocephalum grows in 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.