Eriogonum strictum
Blue mountain buckwheat
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriogonum strictum (Blue mountain buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by variable and widespread, difficult to differentiate.
Blue mountain buckwheat is a native perennial herb found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and Cascade Range in montane and alpine habitats. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces yellow to white or rose-purple flowers in clustered inflorescences up to 25 centimeters wide. Growing with low, spreading stems 10 to 50 centimeters tall and 10 to 100 centimeters in diameter, it forms dense, compact clumps. Its basal leaves are small, measuring 0.5 to 2.5 centimeters long and typically covered in a soft, feltlike tomentose surface. The fruit is a small, glabrous seed about 3 to 3.5 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 73 sympatric species; variable and widespread, difficult to differentiate
Habitat and range
California counties: Lassen, Nevada, Sierra, Plumas, Modoc
Outside California: to Washington, Montana, Nevada
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 strictum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum strictum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Eriogonum strictum grow?
Eriogonum strictum occurs in Lassen, Nevada, Sierra, Plumas, Modoc.
What plant family does Eriogonum strictum belong to?
Eriogonum strictum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
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.