Eriogonum strictum var. greenei
Greene's buckwheat
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Eriogonum strictum var. greenei (Greene's buckwheat) is a native California perennial in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by serpentine habitat and white flowers diagnostic.
Greene's buckwheat is a California native perennial ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in the Klamath Ranges on serpentine landscapes at elevations of 1,500 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces white flowers in compact clusters 3 to 5 centimeters long. Growing with a spreading form 2 to 10 meters in diameter, it has tomentose (woolly) branches and stems. Its small leaves are dense and felt-like, measuring 0.5 to 1 centimeter long and covered in soft white hairs. The plant's white flowers are delicate, measuring 4 to 5 millimeters across, nestled in woolly involucres 4 to 6 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 45 sympatric species; serpentine habitat and white flowers diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine
Elevation: 1500-2400 m
California counties: Mendocino, Tehama, Colusa, Trinity, Siskiyou, Lake, Humboldt
Bloom period
Eriogonum strictum var. greenei blooms Jun-Sep.
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 strictum var. greenei native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum strictum var. greenei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum strictum var. greenei bloom?
Eriogonum strictum var. greenei blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum strictum var. greenei grow?
Eriogonum strictum var. greenei occurs in Mendocino, Tehama, Colusa, Trinity, Siskiyou, Lake, Humboldt, at elevations of 1500-2400 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum strictum var. greenei belong to?
Eriogonum strictum var. greenei is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum strictum var. greenei rare or endangered?
Eriogonum strictum var. greenei carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-01
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.