Eriogonum umbellatum var. canifolium
Sherman pass sulphur flower, Sherman Pass Sulphur Flower
Photo: parent species Eriogonum umbellatum · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Eriogonum umbellatum var. canifolium (Sherman pass sulphur flower) is a native California perennial in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by high elevation sandy habitat and simple umbel structure.
Sherman pass sulphur flower is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada Mountains (Inyo and Tulare counties) and desert mountains in the Argus Range on sandy terrain at elevations of 2,400 to 2,600 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces bright yellow flowers approximately 5 to 7 millimeters long. Growing as a compact mat 3 to 10 meters in diameter with stems 10 to 18 centimeters tall, the plant has a dense, woolly appearance from its tomentose stems and leaves. Its leaves are small, typically 4 to 20 millimeters long and 3 to 7 millimeters wide, covered in a soft, felt-like tomentose surface. The plant forms compact clusters with fuzzy stems and leaves, creating a distinctive cushion-like growth pattern in its arid mountain habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 94 sympatric species; high elevation sandy habitat and simple umbel structure help distinguish
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 2400-2600 m
Bloom period
Eriogonum umbellatum var. canifolium blooms Jun-Sep.
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 var. canifolium native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum umbellatum var. canifolium is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum umbellatum var. canifolium bloom?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. canifolium blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Eriogonum umbellatum var. canifolium belong to?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. canifolium is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum umbellatum var. canifolium grow in?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. canifolium grows in Sand.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. chlorothamnus — Sherwin grade sulphur flower
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. covillei — Coville's sulphur flower
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. dichrocephalum — Bicolor sulphur flower
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. dumosum — American valley sulphur flower
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. furcosum — Sierra nevada sulphur flower
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. glaberrimum — Warner mountains buckwheat
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.