Eriogonum trichopes
Little desert trumpet
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriogonum trichopes (Little desert trumpet) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by distinctive yellow flowers distinguish it from most desert annuals.
Little desert trumpet is a California native annual found in the desert (Bioregion D) in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations from sea level to 1,500 meters. Flowering all year, this plant produces tiny yellow to green-yellow flowers in delicate, thread-like clusters up to 30 centimeters long. Growing 1 to 4.5 decimeters tall with occasionally inflated stems that are glabrous near the top and minutely hairy at the base, it has a distinctive sparse structure. Its basal leaves are widely oblong, 1 to 2.5 centimeters long and up to 3 centimeters wide, covered with fine hairs. The small elliptical fruits are approximately 1 to 1.5 millimeters long and glabrous.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 58 sympatric species; distinctive yellow flowers distinguish it from most desert annuals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand or gravel
Elevation: -60-1500 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, Imperial, Ventura, Kern, Monterey, Tulare, San Luis Obispo
Outside California: to southwestern Utah, southwestern New Mexico, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Eriogonum trichopes blooms All year.
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 trichopes native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum trichopes is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum trichopes bloom?
Eriogonum trichopes blooms All year.
Where in California does Eriogonum trichopes grow?
Eriogonum trichopes occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, Imperial, Ventura, Kern and other counties, at elevations of -60-1500 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum trichopes belong to?
Eriogonum trichopes is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum trichopes grow in?
Eriogonum trichopes 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.