Rock Buckwheat

eriogonum sphaerocephalum

Rock Buckwheat (Eriogonum sphaerocephalum), also known as round-headed buckwheat, is a hardy perennial subshrub native to the arid landscapes of western North America. Thriving in some of the most unforgiving environments, including volcanic slopes, basalt cliffs, and sagebrush steppes, this resilient plant serves as a vital ecological anchor. It forms low, sprawling mats of woody stems that stabilize loose, rocky soils and prevent erosion in wind-swept basins. During the late spring and summer months, Rock Buckwheat transforms dry, dusty hillsides with its abundant, globe-like clusters of warm yellow flowers. These blossoms provide crucial nectar and pollen for a diverse array of native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Its adaptability to poor soils and extreme temperatures makes it a fascinating model of survival in rain-shadow deserts.

生息地: Found in dry, rocky soils, sagebrush steppes, basalt outcrops, and volcanic slopes throughout the intermountain West.

外見

This low-growing subshrub typically forms a dense, rounded mound or mat reaching 10 to 40 centimeters in height. Its small, spoon-shaped to linear leaves are dark green on top and coated with a dense layer of white, woolly hairs underneath, giving the foliage a silvery-green appearance. The most defining feature is the spherical flower cluster, measuring 1 to 3 centimeters across, borne on erect stems. These flowers range in color from a bright, buttery yellow to a deep ochre or cream, often aging to a warm reddish-orange hue.

界Plantae門Tracheophyta綱Magnoliopsida目Caryophyllales科Polygonaceae属Eriogonum

Rock Buckwheat

カテゴリ

植物

レア度

Common

危険度

1/5 · 非常に低い

スナップ

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おもしろい事実

Because it thrives in nutrient-poor volcanic soils, it is often one of the first pioneer plants to colonize hardened lava flows and ash fields.

Indigenous peoples of the Great Basin and Columbia Plateau traditionally used infusions of this plant's roots and leaves to treat colds and tuberculosis.

The species name 'sphaerocephalum' translates to 'spherical-headed,' a direct reference to its distinct, ball-shaped flower clusters.

特殊能力

The dense layer of tiny white hairs (tomentum) on its leaves reflects intense solar radiation and traps a boundary layer of moisture, drastically reducing water loss from evaporation.

It develops a rugged, deep-reaching taproot system that penetrates narrow cracks in basalt and rocky substrate to secure water and hold the plant firm against strong winds.

A tough, woody base allows the plant to survive wildfire, harsh winter freezes, and grazing by resprouting from its durable crown.

サイズと詳細

長さ: 10-40 cm
寿命: 5-20 年

食性と食事

As a photoautotrophic plant, Rock Buckwheat produces its own energy through photosynthesis, converting sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into sugars.

主な食物

Sunlight
Carbon dioxide
Water
Soil minerals

生態系とのつながり

host plant

Sheridan's Hairstreak

Callophrys sheridanii

Serves as a vital host plant for the caterpillars of this small, beautiful green butterfly.

eaten by

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

Forages on the plant's leaves and seed heads during the sparse winter and dry summer months.

mutualism

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Visits the vibrant yellow flowers to collect nectar, acting as one of its primary insect pollinators.

特徴

このオブジェクトにはまだ特徴バッジが割り当てられていません。

別名

まだ別名はありません。

コレクション

テーマが追加されると、このオブジェクトのコレクションがここに表示されます。

安全性

危険度

1/5 · 非常に低い

まだ特別な安全上の注意はありません。

よくある質問

Rock Buckwheatを見分けるには？

Rock Buckwheatを識別する最も簡単な方法は、Snappit自然識別アプリを使用することです。

Rock Buckwheatの長さは何ですか？

10-40 cm

Rock Buckwheatの寿命は何ですか？

5-20 年

Rock Buckwheatは何を食べますか？

As a photoautotrophic plant, Rock Buckwheat produces its own energy through photosynthesis, converting sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into sugars.

Rock Buckwheatは通常どこに生息していますか？

Found in dry, rocky soils, sagebrush steppes, basalt outcrops, and volcanic slopes throughout the intermountain West.