Eriogonum umbellatum var. furcosum
Sierra nevada sulphur flower, Sierra Nevada Sulphur Flower
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriogonum umbellatum var. furcosum (Sierra nevada sulphur flower) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by branched inflorescence and partially glabrous leaves distinctive.
Sierra nevada sulphur flower is a California native shrub found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on sandy or gravelly sites at elevations of 1,200 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces distinctive bright yellow flowers 5 to 8 millimeters long in complex umbel-like clusters. Growing as a substantial subshrub 3 to 6 decimeters tall with a wide spread of 3 to 8 decimeters, it forms a compact and robust structure. Its leaves are small, typically 1 to 2.5 centimeters long and 0.3 to 0.8 centimeters wide, with a dense white tomentose underside and mostly smooth upper surface. The plant's stems are sparsely hairy or smooth, contributing to its clean, structured appearance in high-elevation mountain habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 52 sympatric species; branched inflorescence and partially glabrous leaves distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand or gravel
Elevation: 1200-3000 m
California counties: Nevada, Inyo, Fresno, El Dorado, Tuolumne, Madera, Mariposa, Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Placer, Plumas, Kern, Tulare, San Bernardino, Sierra, Del Norte
Outside California: west-central Nevada
Bloom period
Eriogonum umbellatum var. furcosum 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. furcosum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum umbellatum var. furcosum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum umbellatum var. furcosum bloom?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. furcosum blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum umbellatum var. furcosum grow?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. furcosum occurs in Nevada, Inyo, Fresno, El Dorado, Tuolumne, Madera, Mariposa, Alpine and other counties, at elevations of 1200-3000 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum umbellatum var. furcosum belong to?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. furcosum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum umbellatum var. furcosum grow in?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. furcosum grows in Common. Sand or gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. glaberrimum — Warner mountains buckwheat
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. goodmanii — Goodman's sulphur flower
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. humistratum — Mount eddy buckwheat
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. juniporinum — Juniper sulphur-flowered buckwheat
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. lautum — Scott valley buckwheat
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. minus — Alpine sulphur-flowered buckwheat
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.