Eriogonum strictum var. anserinum
Goose lake wild buckwheat, Goose Lake Wild Buckwheat
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriogonum strictum var. anserinum (Goose lake wild buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by compact size and yellow flowers distinguish from other varieties.
Goose lake wild buckwheat is a California native perennial found in northeastern California, the northeastern Sierra Nevada, and the Modoc Plateau in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 400 to 2,600 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces distinctive yellow flowers in compact clusters 1 to 3 centimeters long. Growing with a wide spread of 20 to 40 centimeters in diameter, it forms a low, rounded shrubby perennial with tomentose branches. Its leaves are small, measuring 5 to 20 millimeters long, and covered in dense, soft hairs that give the plant a soft, grayish appearance. The flower involucres are densely hairy and approximately 4 to 5.5 millimeters wide, creating a compact and textured botanical profile.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 63 sympatric species; compact size and yellow flowers distinguish from other varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand or gravel
Elevation: (100)400-2600 m
California counties: Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sierra, Tehama, Inyo, Trinity
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Eriogonum strictum var. anserinum blooms May-Aug.
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 var. anserinum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum strictum var. anserinum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum strictum var. anserinum bloom?
Eriogonum strictum var. anserinum blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Eriogonum strictum var. anserinum grow?
Eriogonum strictum var. anserinum occurs in Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sierra, Tehama and other counties, at elevations of (100)400-2600 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum strictum var. anserinum belong to?
Eriogonum strictum var. anserinum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum strictum var. anserinum grow in?
Eriogonum strictum var. anserinum grows in Common. 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.