Seaside Buckwheat
ExplorePlants
Seaside Buckwheat
eriogonum latifolium
The Seaside Buckwheat is a beautiful plant that grows along sandy coastlines. Its colorful flowers attract many butterflies and bees, making it a fun plant to spot!
Habitat: Coastal areas, especially sandy beaches and dunes.
Appearance
The Seaside Buckwheat has broad, oval leaves with a fuzzy underside, forming dense mats close to the ground. Its tiny, button-like flower clusters range from creamy white to pink, perched atop leafless stalks. It stands out with its unique low-growing, spreading habit on open coasts.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyPolygonaceaeGenusEriogonum
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Its name 'buckwheat' comes from the triangular shape of its seeds, similar to beech nuts!
Many types of tiny bees and butterflies love to visit its small, colorful flower clusters.
This plant can survive salty sea spray that would harm many other plants.
Tiny ants are sometimes seen 'farming' aphids on its stems, protecting them for their sweet honeydew.
Special abilities
Ability
Water Saver
Seaside Buckwheat has fuzzy leaf undersides that trap moisture, helping it survive dry coastal winds and sandy soils.
Ability
Sand Anchor
Seaside Buckwheat can spread its roots widely through sandy soil, acting like a living anchor to prevent erosion.
Ability
Sun Shield
Seaside Buckwheat has thick, leathery leaves that reflect harsh sunlight, protecting it from intense coastal sun.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-30 cm
- Spread
- 30-90 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer-fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Gathers nectar and pollen.
pollinates
Yellow-faced Bumble Bee
Bombus vosnesenskii
An important native pollinator.
eaten by
Acmon Blue Butterfly
Plebejus acmon
Larvae feed on leaves.
eaten by
Coastal Green Hairstreak
Callophrys dumetorum
Caterpillars munch on foliage.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Beach BuckwheatCoastal BuckwheatEriogonum
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Seaside Buckwheat?
10-30 cm
How wide does Seaside Buckwheat spread?
30-90 cm
How big are the flowers on Seaside Buckwheat?
0.2-0.5 cm
When does Seaside Buckwheat bloom?
Summer-fall
Is Seaside Buckwheat edible?
No
Is Seaside Buckwheat toxic?
None
What is Seaside Buckwheat's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Seaside Buckwheat pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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