Eriogonum umbellatum
Sulphur flower, Sulphur Flower
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Eriogonum umbellatum (Sulphur flower) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by extremely variable with many varieties; umbel-like inflorescence distinctive.
Sulphur flower is a California native perennial found in mountain and high desert regions in rocky, open areas at elevations ranging from low to high mountain zones. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces yellow, white, or red flowers in compact umbel-like clusters 3 to 25 centimeters wide. Growing 2 to 12 decimeters tall with a spreading woody base, it forms dense mounded clumps with tomentose or hairy stems. Its basal leaves are small, measuring 0.3 to 3 centimeters long and 0.1 to 2.5 centimeters wide, typically covered in dense woolly hairs. The flower clusters have distinctive involucres with 6 to 12 reflexed teeth, giving the plant a unique textural appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 122 sympatric species; extremely variable with many varieties; umbel-like inflorescence distinctive
Habitat and range
California counties: Kern, Alpine, Inyo, Mono, Plumas, Tulare, Fresno, Lassen, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Modoc, Siskiyou, Shasta, Nevada, Placer, Mariposa, El Dorado, Mendocino, Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Humboldt, Tehama, Trinity, Sierra, Del Norte, Tuolumne, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Yolo, Madera, Amador
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 umbellatum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum umbellatum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Eriogonum umbellatum grow?
Eriogonum umbellatum occurs in Kern, Alpine, Inyo, Mono, Plumas, Tulare, Fresno, Lassen and other counties.
What plant family does Eriogonum umbellatum belong to?
Eriogonum umbellatum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. ahartii — Ahart's buckwheat
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. argus — One-eyed sulphur flower
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. bahiiforme — Bay buckwheat
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. canifolium — Sherman pass sulphur flower
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. chlorothamnus — Sherwin grade sulphur flower
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. covillei — Coville's sulphur flower
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.