Eriogonum ursinum var. ursinum
Bear valley wild buckwheat, Bear Valley Wild Buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum ursinum · (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriogonum ursinum var. ursinum (Bear valley wild buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by plain pale yellow flowers, broader range.
Bear valley wild buckwheat is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, southern Cascade Range, and northern Sierra Nevada in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 900 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces pale yellow flowers in delicate clusters 3.5 to 4.5 millimeters wide. Growing with sprawling stems up to 4 meters in diameter and reaching 40 centimeters tall, it develops a softly textured, somewhat sparse growth habit. Its leaves are small, measuring 0.8 to 1.4 centimeters long, with a woolly white underside and sparse upper surface. The compact plant forms a distinctive low, spreading mound in its rocky, open habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 111 sympatric species; distinguished by plain pale yellow flowers, broader range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand or gravel
Elevation: (500)900-2500 m
California counties: Tehama, Placer, Sierra, Butte, Plumas, Nevada, Shasta, El Dorado
Bloom period
Eriogonum ursinum var. ursinum blooms May-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 ursinum var. ursinum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum ursinum var. ursinum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum ursinum var. ursinum bloom?
Eriogonum ursinum var. ursinum blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum ursinum var. ursinum grow?
Eriogonum ursinum var. ursinum occurs in Tehama, Placer, Sierra, Butte, Plumas, Nevada, Shasta, El Dorado, at elevations of (500)900-2500 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum ursinum var. ursinum belong to?
Eriogonum ursinum var. ursinum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum ursinum var. ursinum grow in?
Eriogonum ursinum var. ursinum grows in Sand or gravel.
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.