Eriogonum vestitum
Idria buckwheat
(c) paulexcoff, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Eriogonum vestitum (Idria buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by only species in its range.
Idria buckwheat is a California native annual found in northeastern South Coast Ranges in Merced, San Benito, and Fresno counties, growing in clay habitats at elevations of 400 to 700 meters. Flowering from March to November, this plant produces small white flowers with narrowly elliptic perianth lobes in delicate clusters. Growing to 1 to 4 decimeters tall with tomentose (woolly) stems, it forms a compact and softly textured plant. Its leaves are basal and along the stem, with blades 2 to 4 centimeters long, sparsely hairy on the underside and ranging from hairy to nearly smooth on the top surface. The fruit is small, approximately 2 to 2.5 millimeters long with a papillate tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; only species in its range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Clay
Elevation: 400-700 m
California counties: San Benito, Fresno, Merced, Tuolumne
Bloom period
Eriogonum vestitum blooms Mar-Nov.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 vestitum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum vestitum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum vestitum bloom?
Eriogonum vestitum blooms Mar-Nov.
Where in California does Eriogonum vestitum grow?
Eriogonum vestitum occurs in San Benito, Fresno, Merced, Tuolumne, at elevations of 400-700 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum vestitum belong to?
Eriogonum vestitum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum vestitum rare or endangered?
Eriogonum vestitum carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum vimineum — Wicker-stem wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum viridescens — Two-toothed wild buckwheat
- Eriogonum wrightii — Bastard-sage
- Eriogonum wrightii var. membranaceum — Ringed-stem bastard-sage
- Eriogonum wrightii var. nodosum — Knot-stem bastard-sage
- Eriogonum wrightii var. olanchense — Olancha peak buckwheat
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.