Eriogonum umbellatum var. modocense
Modoc sulphur flower, Modoc Sulphur Flower
Photo: parent species Eriogonum umbellatum · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriogonum umbellatum var. modocense (Modoc sulphur flower) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by very common variety, simple umbel structure.
Modoc sulphur flower is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern California Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada, and Modoc Plateau in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 600 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces bright yellow flowers in compact umbels typically 4 to 8 millimeters long. Growing as a low mat 1 to 3 meters in diameter with stems 7 to 25 centimeters tall, it forms a dense, tomentose ground cover. Its small leaves are 1 to 15 millimeters long, covered with dense white felt on the underside while appearing nearly smooth on top. The plant creates dense, low-spreading clusters that thrive in open, gravelly mountain landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 104 sympatric species; very common variety, simple umbel structure helps distinguish
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand or gravel
Elevation: (200)600-2300 m
California counties: Lassen, Modoc, Siskiyou, Plumas, Shasta, Butte, Sierra, Amador, Trinity, Nevada
Outside California: to eastern Oregon, southern Idaho, northern Nevada
Bloom period
Eriogonum umbellatum var. modocense 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. modocense native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum umbellatum var. modocense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum umbellatum var. modocense bloom?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. modocense blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum umbellatum var. modocense grow?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. modocense occurs in Lassen, Modoc, Siskiyou, Plumas, Shasta, Butte, Sierra, Amador and other counties, at elevations of (200)600-2300 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum umbellatum var. modocense belong to?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. modocense is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum umbellatum var. modocense grow in?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. modocense grows in Common. Sand or gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. smallianum — Small's sulphur flower
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. speciosum — Beautiful 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.