Eriogonum temblorense
Temblor buckwheat
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Eriogonum temblorense (Temblor buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by limited geographic range and round basal leaves help identification.
Temblor buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern Santa Cruz and Inner South Coast Ranges in San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and western Kern counties, growing in sandy habitats at elevations of 300 to 900 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces white flowers in delicate clusters with perianth lobes arranged in distinctive oblong shapes. Growing with erect, slender stems 5 to 10 centimeters tall that are densely tomentose, it spreads in open formations with a compact growth habit. Its basal leaves are woolly and variable, ranging from elongated blades 1.5 to 4 centimeters long to nearly round leaves 2 to 4 centimeters across, all covered in soft, feltlike tomentum. The fruit is small, measuring 2 to 2.8 millimeters long with a slightly granular tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 37 sympatric species; limited geographic range and round basal leaves help identification
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 300-900 m
California counties: Kern, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Kings
Bloom period
Eriogonum temblorense blooms May-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 temblorense native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum temblorense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum temblorense bloom?
Eriogonum temblorense blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum temblorense grow?
Eriogonum temblorense occurs in Kern, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Kings, at elevations of 300-900 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum temblorense belong to?
Eriogonum temblorense is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum temblorense rare or endangered?
Eriogonum temblorense carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
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 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.