Eriogonum wrightii var. nodosum
Knot-stem bastard-sage, Knot-Stem Bastard-Sage
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Eriogonum wrightii var. nodosum (Knot-stem bastard-sage) is a native California shrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by large shrub size and desert habitat.
Knot-stem bastard-sage is a California native shrub found in the eastern Peninsular Ranges, southern Mojave Desert, and western Colorado Desert in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 100 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from August to February, this plant produces delicate white to pink or rose-colored flowers in small, branched clusters. Growing as a compact shrub 30 to 150 centimeters tall with a spread of 50 to 150 centimeters, it features a dense, woolly (tomentose) texture. Its small leaves are narrow, measuring 8 to 12 millimeters long and 2.5 to 5 millimeters wide, adding to the plant's compact and intricate appearance. The fruit is tiny, measuring 1 to 3 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 73 sympatric species; distinguished by large shrub size and desert habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Sand or gravel
Elevation: 100-1600 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Imperial, Los Angeles, Inyo, San Benito
Outside California: southern Arizona, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Eriogonum wrightii var. nodosum blooms Aug-Feb.
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 wrightii var. nodosum native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum wrightii var. nodosum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum wrightii var. nodosum bloom?
Eriogonum wrightii var. nodosum blooms Aug-Feb.
Where in California does Eriogonum wrightii var. nodosum grow?
Eriogonum wrightii var. nodosum occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Imperial, Los Angeles, Inyo, San Benito, at elevations of 100-1600 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum wrightii var. nodosum belong to?
Eriogonum wrightii var. nodosum is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
What habitat does Eriogonum wrightii var. nodosum grow in?
Eriogonum wrightii var. nodosum grows in Uncommon. Sand or gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum wrightii var. olanchense — Olancha peak buckwheat
- Eriogonum wrightii var. subscaposum — Short-stemmed bastard-sage
- Eriogonum wrightii var. trachygonum — Rough-node bastard-sage
- Eriogonum wrightii var. wrightii — Wright's bastard-sage
- Eriogonum alexanderae — Alexander's buckwheat
- Eriogonum alpinum — Trinity 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.