Eriogonum umbellatum var. goodmanii
Goodman's sulphur flower
Photo: parent species Eriogonum umbellatum · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriogonum umbellatum var. goodmanii (Goodman's sulphur flower) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by serpentine habitat in northern Klamaths.
Goodman's sulphur flower is a California native perennial found in the northern Klamath Ranges on serpentine landscapes at elevations of 400 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces bright yellow flowers 6 to 8 millimeters long in dense umbel-like clusters. Growing as a mat-forming plant 4 to 7 meters in diameter, it forms low, spreading stems 10 to 25 centimeters tall that are notably hairy. Its leaves are small and densely tomentose, with blades 0.5 to 2 centimeters long and 0.5 to 1 centimeter wide, creating a soft, gray-green texture across the ground. The plant's compact, low-growing form and bright yellow flowers make it a distinctive feature of serpentine habitats in the Klamath Ranges.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 36 sympatric species; serpentine habitat in northern Klamaths helps distinguish
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine
Elevation: 400-1700 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Eriogonum umbellatum var. goodmanii blooms May-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. goodmanii native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum umbellatum var. goodmanii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum umbellatum var. goodmanii bloom?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. goodmanii blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum umbellatum var. goodmanii grow?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. goodmanii occurs in Siskiyou, Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte, at elevations of 400-1700 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum umbellatum var. goodmanii belong to?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. goodmanii is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum umbellatum var. goodmanii grow in?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. goodmanii grows in Serpentine.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. modocense — Modoc sulphur flower
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. munzii — Munz'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.