Eriogonum thornei
Thorne's buckwheat
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Eriogonum thornei (Thorne's buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by but geographically restricted to New York Mountains; distinctive mat form and linear leaves.
Thorne's buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the eastern Desert Mountains, specifically the New York Mountains, growing in gravelly habitat at an elevation of 1,800 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces delicate white flowers in small, compact clusters with outer perianth lobes that are obovate and inner lobes oblanceolate. Growing as a low, spreading mat up to 10 centimeters in diameter, it features thin stems less than 2 centimeters tall that are generally hairy. Its leaves are tiny, linear, and less than 6 millimeters long, with margins rolled under and a woolly texture on the upper surface. The fruit is approximately 2 to 2.5 millimeters long, with a distinctive bumpy tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 57 sympatric species but geographically restricted to New York Mountains; distinctive mat form and linear leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravel
Elevation: 1800 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Bloom period
Eriogonum thornei blooms May-Jul.
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 thornei native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum thornei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum thornei bloom?
Eriogonum thornei blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Eriogonum thornei grow?
Eriogonum thornei occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 1800 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum thornei belong to?
Eriogonum thornei is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum thornei rare or endangered?
Eriogonum thornei carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
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.