Eriogonum tripodum
Tripod buckwheat
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Eriogonum tripodum (Tripod buckwheat) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by serpentine habitat and compact flower clusters distinctive.
Tripod buckwheat is a California native shrub found in northern Coast Ranges and northern and central Sierra Nevada Foothills on serpentine landscapes at elevations of 300 to 800 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces delicate yellow flowers in small clusters with distinctive involucres 3 to 4.5 millimeters long. Growing as a subshrub 2.5 to 5 meters tall with a sprawling 3 to 6 meter diameter, it develops with relatively glabrous stems. Its basal leaves are densely tomentose with blades 1.5 to 2 centimeters long and up to 1 centimeter wide, creating a soft, compact appearance. The fruit is 2.5 to 3 millimeters long, with a sparsely hairy tip characteristic of this unique serpentine-dwelling species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 25 sympatric species; serpentine habitat and compact flower clusters distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine
Elevation: (100)300-800 m
California counties: Tuolumne, Tehama, Lake, Glenn, Colusa, Nevada, Amador, El Dorado, Mariposa, Napa, Placer, Shasta
Bloom period
Eriogonum tripodum blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 tripodum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum tripodum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum tripodum bloom?
Eriogonum tripodum blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Eriogonum tripodum grow?
Eriogonum tripodum occurs in Tuolumne, Tehama, Lake, Glenn, Colusa, Nevada, Amador, El Dorado and other counties, at elevations of (100)300-800 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum tripodum belong to?
Eriogonum tripodum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum tripodum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum tripodum carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, 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 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.