California Buckwheat
ExplorePlants
California Buckwheat
Eriogonum fasciculatum
California Buckwheat is a small, bushy plant with pretty white or yellow flowers. It grows in sunny places and helps provide food for butterflies and bees!
Habitat: Desert
Appearance
The California Buckwheat is a low-growing, evergreen shrub with small, narrow, grayish-green leaves. Its dense clusters of tiny flowers emerge creamy white, gradually aging to distinct rusty pink or reddish hues, making it easily spotted in dry landscapes.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyPolygonaceaeGenusEriogonum
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its tiny seeds were once ground into flour by native Californian tribes for food!
Many types of native bees and butterflies depend on its nectar and pollen exclusively!
This plant provides food and shelter for hundreds of different insect species!
You might find this tough plant growing on steep, rocky hillsides where little else can survive!
Special abilities
Ability
Drought Master
California Buckwheat can thrive in very dry conditions thanks to its deep roots and water-saving fuzzy leaves.
Ability
Color Changer
Its flower clusters change from white to rusty red, signaling when pollen and nectar are available to pollinators.
Ability
Erosion Protector
This plant has strong, fibrous roots that hold soil in place, helping to prevent it from washing away.
Ability
Fire Resilient
California Buckwheat can quickly re-sprout from its base after a wildfire, helping ecosystems recover.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 50-200 cm
- Spread
- 50-200 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
Provides essential nectar and pollen
pollinates
Monarch butterfly
Danaus plexippus
A vital nectar source for adults
pollinates
Yellow-faced bumblebee
Bombus vosnesenskii
Frequent visitor gathering nectar
depends on
California Towhee
Melozone crissalis
Seeds are a food source for this bird
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Cluster Flower
Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Desert
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants without asking an adult first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is California Buckwheat?
50-200 cm
How wide does California Buckwheat spread?
50-200 cm
How big are the flowers on California Buckwheat?
0.2-0.5 cm
When does California Buckwheat bloom?
Late spring to fall
Is California Buckwheat edible?
Yes
Is California Buckwheat toxic?
None
What is California Buckwheat's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is California Buckwheat pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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