Eriogonum umbellatum var. lautum
Scott valley buckwheat, Scott Valley Buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum umbellatum · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Eriogonum umbellatum var. lautum (Scott valley buckwheat) is a native California perennial in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by extremely limited geographic range makes identification clearer.
Scott valley buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges of Scott Valley, Siskiyou County in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 800 to 900 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces bright yellow flowers in umbellate clusters. Growing as a low mat spreading 3 to 10 meters in diameter, it features stems 1 to 2 meters tall covered in soft tomentose (woolly) hairs. Its leaves are densely tomentose with blades 1 to 4 centimeters long and 0.8 to 1.8 centimeters wide, creating a compact and textured appearance. The plant's dense, woolly mat-like growth and vivid yellow flowers make it a distinctive feature of its sandy mountain habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 36 sympatric species; extremely limited geographic range makes identification clearer
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand or gravel
Elevation: 800-900 m
Bloom period
Eriogonum umbellatum var. lautum blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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. lautum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum umbellatum var. lautum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum umbellatum var. lautum bloom?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. lautum blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Eriogonum umbellatum var. lautum belong to?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. lautum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum umbellatum var. lautum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. lautum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Eriogonum umbellatum var. lautum grow in?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. lautum grows in Sand or gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. polyanthum — American river sulphur flower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.