# Shortstem Buckwheat (*Eriogonum brevicaule*) Shortstem Buckwheat is a small, lovely plant with bright yellow flowers. It grows close to the ground and loves sunny places, making it a cheerful sight in nature. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Desert ![Shortstem Buckwheat](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/2016.06.18_08.40.51_IMG_6666_-_Flickr_-_andrey_zharkikh.jpg&width=800) Photo: Andrey Zharkikh from Salt Lake City, USA, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2016.06.18_08.40.51_IMG_6666_-_Flickr_-_andrey_zharkikh.jpg) ## Appearance The Shortstem Buckwheat is a low-growing perennial with small, often gray-green or woolly leaves forming a basal rosette. It produces dense clusters of tiny, usually yellow or creamy-white flowers on short, leafless stalks. These vibrant flower heads stand out against the dry, muted landscapes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Caryophyllales - **Family:** Polygonaceae - **Genus:** Eriogonum ## Interesting facts - Its 'buckwheat' name refers to its seeds, which are shaped like tiny beech tree nuts! - Many desert insects absolutely love its cheerful yellow flowers for a tasty snack. - Some Native American tribes used parts of buckwheat for traditional medicines! - This tough plant can even grow on rocky cliffs where few other plants survive. ## Special abilities - **Drought Dodger:** Shortstem Buckwheat can thrive in very dry places, using its deep roots to find water deep underground. - **Soil Hugger:** This plant has a mat-forming growth, helping to hold loose soil in place and prevent erosion. - **Pollinator Party Host:** Shortstem Buckwheat has many tiny, nectar-rich flowers that attract a crowd of buzzing bees and butterflies. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-30 cm - **Spread:** 20-50 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-3 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer to fall - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen. - **Pollinates:** Yellow-faced bumblebee (*Bombus vosnesenskii*) — Visits flowers for nectar. - **Eaten by:** [Mule deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — Browses on its leaves and stems. - **Pollinates:** [Hydaspe Fritillary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hydaspe-fritillary) (*Speyeria hydaspe*) — Feeds on nectar from its blooms. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Symbiotic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/symbiotic): Describes a relationship between two different species where they live in close association, often benefiting one or both. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch plants unless you know they are safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Shortstem Buckwheat? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Shortstem Buckwheat? 10-30 cm ### How wide does Shortstem Buckwheat spread? 20-50 cm ### How big are the flowers on Shortstem Buckwheat? 1-3 cm ### When does Shortstem Buckwheat bloom? Summer to fall ### Is Shortstem Buckwheat edible? No ### Is Shortstem Buckwheat toxic? None ### What is Shortstem Buckwheat's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bighorn-canyon-national-recreation-area) — Montana, US · National Park ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Shortstem Buckwheat: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shortstem-buckwheat)