Eriogonum ursinum var. erubescens
Blushing wild buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum ursinum · (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Eriogonum ursinum var. erubescens (Blushing wild buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by pink-blushed flowers in Klamath region.
Blushing wild buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, specifically in the Scott Bar Mountains of Siskiyou County and Trinity Mountains of Trinity County, growing in gravelly habitats at elevations of 1,600 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces delicate cream to yellow flowers blushed with pink-red to maroon, creating a subtle and elegant appearance. Growing as a low-spreading plant up to 8 meters in diameter, it develops slender stems 20 to 40 centimeters tall that are sparsely covered in soft hairs. Its leaves are small and compact, measuring 7 to 22 millimeters long and 4 to 12 millimeters wide, creating a dense and intricate ground-hugging form. The fruit develops 5.5 to 8 millimeters long, contributing to its distinctive wild buckwheat character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 45 sympatric species; distinguished by pink-blushed flowers in Klamath region
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravel
Elevation: 1600-1900 m
Bloom period
Eriogonum ursinum var. erubescens blooms Jun-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 ursinum var. erubescens native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum ursinum var. erubescens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum ursinum var. erubescens bloom?
Eriogonum ursinum var. erubescens blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Eriogonum ursinum var. erubescens belong to?
Eriogonum ursinum var. erubescens is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum ursinum var. erubescens rare or endangered?
Eriogonum ursinum var. erubescens carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Eriogonum ursinum var. erubescens grow in?
Eriogonum ursinum var. erubescens grows in Gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.