Eriogonum umbellatum var. versicolor
Panamint sulphur flower, Panamint Sulphur Flower
Photo: parent species Eriogonum umbellatum · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriogonum umbellatum var. versicolor (Panamint sulphur flower) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by color-changing flowers with red spots.
Panamint sulphur flower is a California native perennial found in the Inyo Mountains and desert mountain regions on gravelly to rocky slopes at elevations of 1,900 to 3,300 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces yellow flowers that age to rose, pink, or red-brown, with distinctive red spots on each perianth lobe. Growing as a low mat 1 to 4 meters in diameter, it spreads with hairy stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall. Its leaves are small, measuring 5 to 15 millimeters long and 3 to 10 millimeters wide, with a sparse tomentose or nearly smooth surface. The plant forms dense, compact clusters with simple or compound flower branches, creating an intricate ground-hugging display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 57 sympatric species; distinguished by color-changing flowers with red spots
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravel to rock
Elevation: 1900-3300 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Mono, Siskiyou
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Eriogonum umbellatum var. versicolor 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. versicolor native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum umbellatum var. versicolor is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum umbellatum var. versicolor bloom?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. versicolor blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum umbellatum var. versicolor grow?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. versicolor occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, Mono, Siskiyou, at elevations of 1900-3300 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum umbellatum var. versicolor belong to?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. versicolor is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum umbellatum var. versicolor grow in?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. versicolor grows in Gravel to rock.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.