Eriogonum umbellatum var. speciosum
Beautiful sulphur flower, Beautiful Sulphur Flower
Photo: parent species Eriogonum umbellatum · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriogonum umbellatum var. speciosum (Beautiful sulphur flower) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by large shrub habit, low elevation, and largest flowers.
Beautiful sulphur flower is a California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges on serpentine landscapes at elevations of 100 to 800 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces distinctive yellow flowers 7 to 10 millimeters long in complex umbellate clusters. Growing as a compact shrub 5 to 15 decimeters tall with a wide spread of 5 to 20 decimeters, it features densely tomentose stems and branches. Its leaves are small, 1 to 3 centimeters long and 0.5 to 2.5 centimeters wide, with a tomentose underside and varying hairiness on the upper surface. The plant's intricate branched inflorescences have involucre tubes 4 to 6 millimeters long with delicate 3 to 5 millimeter teeth.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 45 sympatric species; distinguished by large shrub habit, low elevation, and largest flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine
Elevation: 100-800 m
California counties: Trinity, Siskiyou, Yuba, Shasta, Butte, Glenn, Plumas, Humboldt
Bloom period
Eriogonum umbellatum var. speciosum 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. speciosum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum umbellatum var. speciosum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum umbellatum var. speciosum bloom?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. speciosum blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum umbellatum var. speciosum grow?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. speciosum occurs in Trinity, Siskiyou, Yuba, Shasta, Butte, Glenn, Plumas, Humboldt, at elevations of 100-800 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum umbellatum var. speciosum belong to?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. speciosum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum umbellatum var. speciosum grow in?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. speciosum grows in Serpentine.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. subaridum — Ferris' sulphur flower
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. torreyanum — Donner pass buckwheat
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. versicolor — Panamint sulphur flower
- Eriogonum ursinum — Bear buckwheat
- Eriogonum ursinum var. erubescens — Blushing wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum ursinum var. ursinum — Bear valley wild 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.