Eriogonum umbellatum var. subaridum
Ferris' sulphur flower, Ferris' Sulphur Flower
Photo: parent species Eriogonum umbellatum · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Eriogonum umbellatum var. subaridum (Ferris' sulphur flower) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by desert mountain habitat and compound inflorescence.
Ferris' sulphur flower is a native shrub found in the southeastern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi Range, Sierra Nevada eastern edge, and Desert Mountains on sandy or gravelly sites at elevations of 1,200 to 3,100 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces distinctive yellow flowers in umbellate clusters ranging from 3 to 7 millimeters long. Growing as a compact subshrub 2 to 7 decimeters tall with a wide spread of 3 to 9 decimeters, it has branches that may be hairy or smooth. Its leaves are small, generally 1 to 3 centimeters long and 0.5 to 2 centimeters wide, with a sparse tomentose covering particularly on the undersides. The plant forms intricate branching clusters with involucre tubes 2 to 3 millimeters long and small teeth 1 to 3 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 116 sympatric species; distinguished by desert mountain habitat and compound inflorescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand or gravel
Elevation: 1200-3100 m
California counties: Inyo, Kern, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Tulare, Ventura, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Sierra
Outside California: to southwestern Colorado, northern Arizona
Bloom period
Eriogonum umbellatum var. subaridum blooms Jun-Oct.
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. subaridum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum umbellatum var. subaridum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum umbellatum var. subaridum bloom?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. subaridum blooms Jun-Oct.
Where in California does Eriogonum umbellatum var. subaridum grow?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. subaridum occurs in Inyo, Kern, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Tulare, Ventura, Mono, Nevada and other counties, at elevations of 1200-3100 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum umbellatum var. subaridum belong to?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. subaridum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum umbellatum var. subaridum grow in?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. subaridum grows in Common. Sand or gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriogonum vestitum — Idria 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.