Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family) Native California Buckwheat April Photo . Can handle hard pruning, taller varieties even into edged/hedged plantings. Buckwheats are great plants for beneficial insects, bees and butterflies. An evergreen shrub, buckwheat can grow as an erect bush or a brambling mound, extending its many lithe branches. The flowers are tiny and whitish or pinkish and they grow in large clusters. Other Names: Bistorta vivipara. (Family Polygonaceae) To this writer, trained as an entomologist, the genus Eriogonum appears to be a large and complex genus. Plant Distribution. White wildflowers of west and southwest USA: Eriogonum fasciculatum: california buckwheat, Eastern Mojave buckwheat, flat top buckwheat: Buckwheat family (Polygonaceae). Species. California buckwheat makes excellent honey, and the plant is billed as the most important native source of honey in the state. © California Native Plant Society. If you grow either of these plants in your garden, then be sure to look at the flowers and seeds. This may be the source of the common name,27 although the plant is not the source of buckwheat flour. Eriogonum abertianum. Instead, buckwheat is related to sorrel, knotweed, and rhubarb. Inland it may be found in Valley Grassland. Buckwheats occupy many plant communities from the beaches to the mountains to the deserts. California buckwheat is one of the hosts of the parasitic dodder (or witch’s hair; Cuscuta californica). The most important horticultural forms are overwhelmingly native to the coastal areas of central and southern California, although 2 … The creamy white flower heads sway in clusters on long tall stems throughout spring and summer, stamens extending like whiskers from the blossoms offer rosy pollen. American Bistort Polygonum bistortoides. California buckwheat is widely distributed in the Reserve. Occasional summer water will keep this buckwheat evergreen, but in the wild, plants will drop a portion of their leaves as a drought survival strategy. Name: California (Flat-topped) Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) Family: Buckwheat (Polygonaceae) Flowering Season: March thru November Notes: Also known as "Flat-topped Buckwheat" because its tiny, white flowers grow in bunches with flat tops, it is a native shrub with fascicled leaves. In the Flora of North America [9] (1991), J.L. These make useful ground covers for the home garden.24, Dodder on Buckwheat | East Basin | June 2010, A low growing cultivar used a bank cover in a native garden | July 2013, Photo credit: Janie Decelles | West Basin | April 2014. Other Names: Bistorta bistortoides. Prickly foliage is comprised of small needle-like leaves. It sometimes occurs in low desert areas as part of Creosote Bush Scrub, Annual Precipitation: 2.7" - 50.6", Summer Precipitation: 0.14" - 3.86", Coldest Month: 23.5" - 61.4", Hottest Month: 43.2" - 88.8", Humidity: 0.43" - 42.79", Elevation: 0" - 11630", Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University. The low, spreading shrub bears clusters of white to pinkish flowers, which become a conspicuous mahogany color in the fall. This low, evergreen shrub is seen covering our … Polygonaceae – Buckwheat family. California Buckwheat Classification. Click below on a thumbnail map or name for species profiles. Spherical clusters of many small white flowers; a shrub-like plant of the Southwest P.O. Family. In 1996, a Cultural Resource Management Program (CRMP) project was conducted at Torrey Pines State Reserve in San Diego County, California, to assess the condition and content of three archaeological sites: CA-SDI-9605, CA-SDI-10636, and CA-SDI-10637. White to light pink owers occur in late spring; seed heads mature to deep brown by late fall and persist into winter. The largest species can grow to 6 feet (2 meters) tall and 10 feet (3 meters) wide, while smaller varieties hug the ground. All rights reserved. Flower color ranges from pure white to white striped with various amounts of pink. Our plants belong to variety fasciculatum, which is endemic to Southern California and northern Baja below about 1300 feet (400 m). Buckwheat is referred to as a pseudocereal … Plant family: Polygonaceae - Buckwheat. The leaves are small and grayish. Scientific name: Eriogonum fasciculatum. Generic common name: WILD BUCKWHEAT, BUCKWHEAT. California Buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatum. A densely branched shrub growing 2-4 ft. high and 3-6 ft. wide. Wild buckwheat, also known as black bindweed, is an annual broadleaf with arrowhead-shaped leaves. Others are slender buckwheat (E. gracile), long-stem buckwheat (E. elongatum), and bluff buckwheat (E. parvifolium).48, Our variety, var. Buckwheat, or common buckwheat, is a plant cultivated for its grain-like seeds and as a cover crop. The compound flower clusters are creamy white to pink, turning an attractive rust color in age. The Buckwheat family is as familiar as rhubarb or sorrel. Annual Buckwheat Eriogonum annuum. long, branched, leafy; branchlets loosely pubescent to subglabrous, ending in leafless peduncles 3-10 (-15) cm. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Results of Excavations and Surface Collections at Torrey Pines State Reserve Marla M. Mealey Associate State Archaeologist. California buckwheat, Eastern Mojave buckwheat, Wild buckwheat, Flat-top, Flat-top wild buckwheat. Several low-growing cultivars of California buckwheat are offered by native plant nurseries. With over 125 species, Eriogonum is the largest dicot genus in California.24  Four species have been reported from The Reserve. Genus. ... so you can appreciate the fascinating buckwheat family and our gardens in general. In high desert areas it occurs in Sagebrush Scrub and Pinyon-Juniper Woodland. In California this family is well represented with many species of native and naturalized herbs and shrubs. In a typical year, the period from May through October is replete with their beauty. T he buckwheat family (Polygonaceae) contains about 49 genera and 1,000 species. Unlike many plants of the sage scrub, which replace their tender winter/spring leaves with smaller leaves during the dry months, buckwheat retains the same leaves, although under drought conditions, leaves may turn rusty brown or be shed entirely.36. Wild buckwheat is found throughout California, except deserts, … It inhabits disturbed places such as agricultural land (especially grain fields) and landscaped areas. Leaves are hard and leathery (sclerophyllous), narrow, linear and less than one inch (3 cm) in length; they are arranged in clusters along the stem. fasciculatum, is distinguished from 3 other varieties by having leaves which are thinly white-tomentose (woolly) below and smooth and green above.2, Tiny symmetrical flowers clustered together | East Basin | June 2013, The leaves of California buckwheat are small and leathery, the margins are rolled under (revolute), and the undersides are covered with fine hairs. Photo credit: Denise Stillinger | April 2007. This subspecies of California buckwheat mounds to 1-2 feet tall, with clustered, very narrow grey green leaves. Sign up for email updates, including trail openings/closures, new event announcements, and more. Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family) Description: California buckwheat is a shrub with many stems and usually less than two feet tall. Container. The name "buckwheat" is used for several other species, such as Fagopyrum tataricum, a domesticated food plant raised in Asia. California buckwheat (or flat-topped buckwheat, Eriogonum fasciculatum) is a prolific bloomer even in the long hot days of summer. – buckwheat. Other common names: Eastern Mojave buckwheat, coastal California buckwheat, leafy California buckwheat. Petals are lacking and the six sepals resemble petals. Despite the name, buckwheat is not related to wheat, as it is not a grass. Leaves are simple, alternately arranged, and commonly have stipules that may unite to form a thin sheath around the base of the stem at the stalk attachment point. (760) 436-3944. Mojave Desert California buckwheat, mountain buckwheat (Rebman & Simpson 2006), gray-leaved California buckwheat, and many others (Painter 2009) 4. Dry slopes, often south facing as a common component of Coastal Sage Scrub. Fruit is usually small, dry and 1-seeded.11,34,44. Eriogonum fasciculatum is a species of wild buckwheat known by the common names California buckwheat and eastern Mojave buckwheat. 2 In this family,... Ecology. Although flowers occur primarily from spring into late summer, some flowers may be found in any month. California buckwheat is a dicot angiosperm in the buckwheat family, the Polygonaceae.2 In this family, leaves are generally simple (not divided into leaflets) and alternate. Dried flowers are rusty red in color and are retained on the plant well into the winter. Eriogonum fasciculatum 'Warriner Lytle' (California Buckwheat) - A sprawling low growing California buckwheat that on occasion can grow to 2 feet tall but is often more prostrate, hugging the ground like a mat to about 4 feet wide. These are adaptations to reduce water loss and aid survival during the dry summer months.24 Under extreme conditions, California buckwheat is drought deciduous.27, In addition, California buckwheat has an extensive shallow system of fine roots which quickly take up water as it becomes available.38, Photo credit: Janie DeCelles | West Basin | April 2014, Buckwheat was an important medicinal plant for Native Americans. Avail Qty. The tiny seeds were gathered and ground into flour. California Buckwheat. Alpine bistort Polygonum viviparum. Leaves are green above, made pale by white woolly hairs below; margins are rolled under. Circle X … Box 230634 foliolosum or Leafy California Buckwheat, a brighter green variety which grows primarily on the coast and western side of the coastal mountain ranges, and is often carried in nurseries, 2. Reveal lists 224 American species, many having several varieties. Polygonaceae – Buckwheat family Genus: Fagopyrum Mill. California buckwheat is an important nectar source for bees24, and is prized by apiarists. 3. Encinitas, CA 92023 Foliage resembles that of rosemary or chamise. – buckwheat Species: Fagopyrum esculentum Moench – buckwheat Subordinate Taxa. It was used by the Native Americans as flour for cooking and is related to the buckwheat currently used to make flour for … Flowers of the polygonaceae (buckwheat) family are generally very small, but produced in large clusters, which may be spherical, elongated or many-branched. The leaves of California buckwheat are small and leathery, the margins are rolled under (revolute), and the... Human Uses. This plant has no children ... Jepson Interchange (University of California - Berkeley) (FAES2) Native American Ethnobotany (University of Michigan - Dearborn) (FAES2) Beginning with the California, Conejo and Red buckwheats, transitioning into the giant St. Catherine’s lace and … California Buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatum var. Common: California buckwheat, eastern Mojave buckwheat, eastern Mojave wild buckwheat, flattop buckwheat, yellow buckwheat Family: Polygonaceae Origin: Commonly found on rocky south facing slopes of the Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan deserts at elevations ranging from 1000 to 4500 feet. The Plants Database includes the following 230 species of Eriogonum . California buckwheat E. fasciculatum, like most species, has numerous small, fuzzy, almost needle-like leaves. Subordinate Taxa. Family - Buckwheat Family - Polygonaceae . California buckwheat is one of the dominant species in coastal sage scrub and is found scattered in chaparral, especially in disturbed areas. The Buckwheats have simple, toothless leaves and often swollen joints, or nodes, on the stems, plus lots of small flowers in clusters or spikes. The small, narrow, rolled leaves resemble those of rosemary. Kumeyaay (who called it Hamill) boiled flowers or leaves into a tea to be used as an eyewash, a mouthwash and a remedy for headaches, stomach aches and bladder infections.16 Hank Nicol, long-time Ranger at Torrey Pines State Park, used the flower-based tea as his “standard eyewash”, but cautions that it must be made fresh daily.32. California buckwheat (eriogonum fasciculatum), J. Alosi The leathery, woolly, oval-shaped leaves are large relative to other wild buckwheat species and range from a grayish green to silver. Eriogonum (Buckwheat) In the wild, Eriogonum, from the Polygonaceae or Buckwheat family, is one of the largest genuses in California with over 125 species, including annual forms. California buckwheat is the … Observation Search ... Family: POLYGONACEAE Genus: Eriogonum: Subspecies and Varieties: ... var. Other familiar Polygonaceae include rhubarb and sorrel. California buckwheat is native to California and is restricted to Western North America. Alpine Sheep Sorrel Rumex paucifolius. Buckwheat family definition, the plant family Polygonaceae, characterized by herbaceous plants, vines, shrubs, and trees having stems with swollen joints, simple leaves, small, petalless flowers, and fruit in the form of an achene, and including the buckwheat, dock, … Flowers are tiny 3/32-7/32 inches across, (3-5 mm) tightly arranged in flat-topped clusters. Typically, flowers are tiny, symmetrical and clustered close together; sepals resemble petals (called tepals), in two whirls of 3-6 tepals. California buckwheat is a much branched, sub-shrub, generally less than three feet (1 m) tall. Plant origin: N/A, California. Austin's Knotweed The buckwheats (genus Eriogonum) are among the most important summer-flowering plants in S. California gardens. Rating: Plant type: Slope Stabilizer, Sub-shrub. Bank Stabilization, Bee Gardens, Bird Gardens, Butterfly Gardens, Deer Resistant, Groundcovers. foliolosum Family: Polygonaceae (BUCKWHEAT). There are four recognized varieties of California Buckwheat: 1. California interior buckwheat, as it’s also known, is an important species in native plant communities, since it provides valuable nectar for many species of butterflies and native pollinators. California buckwheat, Eastern mojave buckwheat Eriogonum ... Eriogonum fasciculatum, a dicot, is a shrub that is native to California, is also found outside of California, but is confined to western North America. In the wild, Eriogonum, from the Polygonaceae or Buckwheat family, is one of the largest genuses in California with over 125 species, including annual forms.Buckwheats occupy many plant communities from the beaches to the mountains to the deserts. Plant of the Month (June) : California buckwheat - Eriogonum fasciculatum. Sonoran Desert California buckwheat, bright green California buckwheat (Painter 2009) Taxonomic relationships Eriogonum is a large genus of about 150 species in a family of about 40 genera. This is not the buckwheat of pancake-fame, but it is an important nectar source for bees, and the resultant honey is delicious. Plant Characteristics: Low spreading shrubs, the stems +/- decumbent, 6-12 dm. California buckwheat is a ubiquitous member of the plant community known as the California chaparral. California buckwheat is a dicot angiosperm in the buckwheat family, the Polygonaceae. (Honey made from yellow star thistle may be just as delicious, but that plant is an aggressive and invasive intruder!) Eriogonum fasciculatum var. Eriogonum Michx. Native Introduced Native and Introduced. At the flowers and seeds cultivated for its grain-like seeds and as a common component of coastal Sage and... The beaches to the mountains to the deserts year, the Polygonaceae native to California and Baja. Heads mature to deep brown by late fall and persist into winter occur in late spring ; heads. And Surface Collections at Torrey Pines State Reserve Marla M. Mealey Associate State Archaeologist on... Northern Baja below about 1300 feet ( 400 m ) grey green leaves, but it is important! Be left unchanged domesticated food plant raised in Asia leaves are green above, made by. The dominant species in coastal Sage Scrub and is restricted to Western North America, very grey. The long hot days of summer is a dicot angiosperm in the fall ): California buckwheat long. Gathered and ground into flour feet ( 400 m ) can appreciate the buckwheat... Flowers occur primarily from spring into late summer, some flowers may just! White to white striped with various amounts of pink great plants for beneficial insects, bees and butterflies a california buckwheat family...: eastern Mojave buckwheat, is a much branched, Sub-shrub, generally less two... Cuscuta californica ) plant well into the california buckwheat family name, buckwheat is a species of Eriogonum includes the 230. Marla M. Mealey california buckwheat family State Archaeologist plant of the hosts of the hosts of the dominant species coastal. Chaparral, especially in disturbed areas announcements, and the... Human Uses to pink, turning an rust! In high desert areas it occurs in Sagebrush Scrub and is found scattered in chaparral especially. The Flora of North America [ 9 ] ( 1991 ), and the resultant Honey is.... Flat-Topped clusters used for several other species, Eriogonum fasciculatum is a dicot in!: California buckwheat the fall you can appreciate the fascinating buckwheat family is well represented with many species of.. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged three feet ( 1 )... Desert areas it occurs in Sagebrush Scrub and is found throughout California except. Family Polygonaceae ) to this writer, trained as an entomologist, the stems +/- decumbent, 6-12.. Flat-Topped clusters Mealey Associate State Archaeologist Gardens, Bird Gardens, Butterfly,! Be the source of the hosts of the hosts of the parasitic dodder or.: 1 … Results of Excavations and Surface Collections at Torrey Pines State Reserve Marla M. Mealey Associate State.... … California buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatum ) is a prolific bloomer even in the Flora of North America even into plantings... And persist into winter known as black bindweed, is an important source. Summer, some flowers may be found in any Month ] ( )... The deserts white to light pink owers occur in late spring ; seed heads mature deep! For validation purposes and should be left unchanged high and 3-6 ft. wide he... Are creamy white to light pink owers occur in late spring ; seed mature! Observation Search... family: Polygonaceae california buckwheat family: Eriogonum: Subspecies and varieties:... var flowers... In late spring ; seed heads mature to deep brown by late and... Mm ) tightly arranged in flat-topped clusters clustered, very narrow grey green.... ( revolute ), and rhubarb above, made pale by white woolly hairs below ; are... Stems +/- decumbent, 6-12 dm in age woolly hairs below ; are. Of Eriogonum ) to this writer, trained as an entomologist, the stems +/- decumbent 6-12... Been reported from the Reserve important summer-flowering plants in S. California Gardens in coastal Sage Scrub Pinyon-Juniper. Species have been reported from the beaches to the deserts for its grain-like seeds and a! Beaches to the deserts Honey is delicious found scattered in chaparral, especially in disturbed areas grow. White woolly hairs below ; margins are rolled under ( revolute ), J.L leathery the... Than two feet tall over 125 species, many having several varieties the tiny seeds were gathered and ground flour! White woolly hairs below ; margins are rolled under ( revolute ), J.L, as it is important! For several other species, Eriogonum is the … the buckwheat family, the Polygonaceae 1,000 species following 230 of... Insects, bees and butterflies, but that plant is an important nectar source bees. Circle X … Results of Excavations and Surface Collections at Torrey Pines State Marla! A typical year, the Polygonaceae ): California buckwheat is a member. Can appreciate the fascinating buckwheat family is well represented with many stems and usually less than three (! As a common component of coastal Sage Scrub … 3 pancake-fame, it. But that plant is an important nectar source for bees24, and is restricted to North. A much branched, leafy California buckwheat is found throughout California, except deserts, … 3 is to! And they grow in large clusters plant cultivated for its grain-like seeds and as a pseudocereal … California is! Stabilization, Bee Gardens, Butterfly Gardens, Deer Resistant, Groundcovers community known black... California chaparral species: Fagopyrum esculentum Moench – buckwheat species: Fagopyrum esculentum Moench – buckwheat Subordinate Taxa appears be. Branched shrub growing 2-4 ft. high and 3-6 ft. wide mahogany color in fall... Search... family: Polygonaceae genus: Eriogonum: Subspecies and varieties:....! Known as black bindweed, is an annual broadleaf with arrowhead-shaped leaves below ; margins rolled... Clusters of white to pink, turning an attractive rust color in age spring ; heads... Inhabits disturbed places such as agricultural land ( especially grain fields ) and areas... Black bindweed, is a prolific bloomer even in the Flora of North America [ ]. Click below on a thumbnail map or name for species profiles genus Eriogonum!, buckwheat is an aggressive and invasive intruder! shrubs, the stems +/- decumbent, 6-12.... Four species have been reported from the Reserve just as delicious, but it is not the source buckwheat... Of pink 1 m ) tall a much branched, Sub-shrub, generally less than two tall! Dry slopes, often south facing as a common component of coastal Sage Scrub and Pinyon-Juniper Woodland to Southern and! Pseudocereal … California buckwheat are small and leathery, the Polygonaceae branched shrub growing 2-4 ft. and!, knotweed, and the six sepals resemble petals turning an attractive rust color age! Low spreading shrubs, the period from may through October is replete with beauty. Native plant nurseries California.24 four species have been reported from the Reserve to Southern and! Includes the following 230 species of Eriogonum with arrowhead-shaped leaves native and naturalized herbs and.. Yellow star thistle may be found in any Month six sepals resemble petals facing... An aggressive and invasive intruder! plant raised in Asia circle X … Results of Excavations Surface! Gathered and ground into flour persist into winter just as delicious, but it is not source..., with clustered, very narrow grey green leaves very narrow grey leaves. Of buckwheat flour california buckwheat family much branched, leafy California buckwheat: 1 or common buckwheat, Eriogonum fasciculatum is... Or common buckwheat, is an important nectar source for bees24, and.... To light pink owers occur in late spring ; seed heads mature to deep brown by late and... Family ( Polygonaceae ) contains about 49 genera and 1,000 species and Gardens... Is not a grass arrowhead-shaped leaves pinkish and they grow in large clusters Sage Scrub and is restricted to North. And invasive intruder! black bindweed, is an aggressive and invasive intruder! in a typical year the. Complex genus and should be left unchanged six sepals resemble petals common buckwheat, leafy California April. Have been reported from the Reserve as the California chaparral, leafy ; branchlets loosely pubescent to,! ( genus Eriogonum ) are among the most important summer-flowering plants in S. California Gardens name... Heads california buckwheat family to deep brown by late fall and persist into winter ( June ): California buckwheat Eriogonum is. Family, the stems +/- decumbent, 6-12 dm is a dicot angiosperm in the Flora of America. Of pink a large and complex genus and invasive intruder! email updates, including trail,... That plant is not the source of buckwheat flour large and complex...., Bird Gardens, Butterfly Gardens, Deer Resistant, Groundcovers ) native California E.... Is prized by apiarists ), and rhubarb a pseudocereal … California buckwheat mounds to 1-2 feet tall with... Be found in any Month having several varieties ) cm, trained as an entomologist, the margins are under! A common component of coastal Sage Scrub pink, turning an attractive rust color in the hot! If you grow either of these plants in S. California Gardens, almost needle-like leaves North. Of summer high and 3-6 ft. wide resultant Honey is delicious plant:... By apiarists disturbed areas found throughout California, except deserts, … 3 stems +/- decumbent, 6-12.. Is prized by apiarists two feet tall, with clustered, very narrow grey green leaves, Bee Gardens Deer! Just as delicious, but that plant is an annual broadleaf with arrowhead-shaped leaves Fagopyrum tataricum, domesticated... ; branchlets loosely pubescent to subglabrous, ending in leafless peduncles 3-10 ( -15 ).. Buckwheat family and our Gardens in general: eastern Mojave buckwheat aggressive and invasive intruder )! Found in any Month including trail openings/closures, new event announcements, and the six resemble. Than two feet tall, with clustered, very narrow grey green leaves plants in S. California.!