Eriogonum umbellatum var. juniporinum
Juniper sulphur-flowered buckwheat, Juniper Sulphur-Flowered Buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum umbellatum · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Eriogonum umbellatum var. juniporinum (Juniper sulphur-flowered buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by pale flower color and eastern desert mountains location.
Juniper sulphur-flowered buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native shrub found in the eastern San Bernardino Mountains in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 1,300 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces cream to pale yellow flowers sometimes tinged with white, arranged in complex umbel-like clusters with delicate branching. Growing 4 to 8 decimeters tall with a spread of 5 to 10 decimeters, the shrub has woody stems that can be hairy or smooth. Its small leaves are relatively compact, measuring 1 to 2 centimeters long and 0.5 to 1 centimeter wide, with a variable surface texture ranging from hairy to glabrous. The compact flowering heads feature involucre tubes 3 to 3.5 millimeters long with small teeth 1 to 2.5 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 49 sympatric species; pale flower color and eastern desert mountains location help distinguish
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand or gravel
Elevation: 1300-2300 m
Outside California: Nevada, southwestern Utah, northwestern Arizona
Bloom period
Eriogonum umbellatum var. juniporinum blooms Jun-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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. juniporinum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum umbellatum var. juniporinum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum umbellatum var. juniporinum bloom?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. juniporinum blooms Jun-Oct.
What plant family does Eriogonum umbellatum var. juniporinum belong to?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. juniporinum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum umbellatum var. juniporinum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. juniporinum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Eriogonum umbellatum var. juniporinum grow in?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. juniporinum grows in Sand or gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. nelsoniorum — Nelsons' sulphur flower
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. nevadense — Nevada sulphur flower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.