Johanneshowellia puberula
Downy buckwheat, Downy Buckwheat
(c) Parker James Lloyd, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Johanneshowellia puberula (Downy buckwheat) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by Recently recognized monotypic genus split from Eriogonum; very limited California distribution.
Downy buckwheat is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native annual found in northern Desert Mountains, specifically in the Cottonwood Mountains and Death Valley region of Inyo County, growing in sandy habitats at elevations of 800 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces delicate white to pale yellow, and occasionally rose or red flowers that are small and minutely papillate. Growing as an erect plant 5 to 30 centimeters tall, it develops slender stems with compact growth. Its leaves are small, with blade-like structures 5 to 15 millimeters long, and the plant's involucre bracts are distinctively 2 to 3-lobed. The fruit is compact, measuring 1 to 1.5 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Recently recognized monotypic genus split from Eriogonum; very limited California distribution
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: (500)800-2800 m
California counties: Inyo
Outside California: to southwestern Utah
Bloom period
Johanneshowellia puberula blooms May-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Lastarriaea: Johanneshowellia has spine-less bracts; Lastarriaea has 3 spine-tipped bracts.; vs Nemacaulis: Johanneshowellia has 4-7 bracts without cottony appearance; Nemacaulis has many bracts creating cottony flower heads.; vs Hollisteria: Johanneshowellia has spine-less bracts and silky hairs; Hollisteria has spine-tipped bracts and woolly hairs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Johanneshowellia puberula native to California?
Yes. Johanneshowellia puberula is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Johanneshowellia puberula bloom?
Johanneshowellia puberula blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Johanneshowellia puberula grow?
Johanneshowellia puberula occurs in Inyo, at elevations of (500)800-2800 m.
What plant family does Johanneshowellia puberula belong to?
Johanneshowellia puberula is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Johanneshowellia.
Is Johanneshowellia puberula rare or endangered?
Johanneshowellia puberula carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.