Eriogonum fasciculatum has a bioregional distribution that stretches from California (including the southern Sierra Nevada, central western California, southwestern California, east of Sierra Nevada and Desert) to Utah, Arizona and northwest Mexico. Elevations of occurrence are below 2300 meters. This relatively common plant occurs on dry slopes, washes and canyons in scrub plant associations.

Commonly termed Eastern Mojave buckwheat, this shrub attains a height of ten to 200 cm, with leaves that are cauline and clustered at nodes; leaf blades are six to 18 mm, linear to oblanceolate, leathery, and more or less rolled under. Inflorescences are in the form of heads or umbels, generally canescent

General: California buckwheat is a native evergreen shrub about 12 to 39 inches high and 28 to 51 inches wide. Branches are numerous, slender and flexible. Leaves are egg-shaped, 1.5 to 3.8 inches long and less than half an inch wide, smooth or fuzzy above and fuzzy beneath. Flowers are white or pink. Flowering period is from May through October. Seeds are light brown, angled and very small.

Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth.:
Mexico (Mesoamerica)
United States (North America)

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

California buckwheat can be used as a conservation plant on critically eroded areas and for environmental enhancement on sandy to clay loam, moderately to well-drained soils. This species occurs abundantly in southern California but is also adapted to parts of California within the Mediterranean climate up to 2700 feet elevation where the mean annual precipitation ranges from 7-20 inches.

California buckwheat grows naturally on dry slopes and canyons near the coast from San Diego County north to Marin County. It is also found in Utah, Arizona and northwestern Mexico.

Eriogonum fasciculatum is a complex, polyploid series of variants that are generally distinct but often difficult to distinguish morphologically. Variety emphereium Reveal is confined to central Baja California, Mexico. The introduction of Eriogonum fasciculatum as a decorative roadside plant by the California Department of Transportation is resulting in hybrid populations involving E. cinereum. The aggressively weedy and (for Arizona) exotic variety foliosum is rapidly invading the native habitat of var. polifolium. Members of E. fasciculatum are food plants for several butterflies, notably the Bernardino dotted-blue (Euphilotes bernardino), lupine blue (Plebeius lupini), Mormon metalmark (Apodemia mormo), and Behr's metalmark (A. virgulti). Probably the butterfly most commonly seen with the species is the nut-brown hairstreak (Satyrium saepium), which frequents plants in full flower. Eriogonum fasciculatum is also the most important native source of honey in California.

This widespread species was used extensively by Native Americans for a variety of ailments. Its application for pain and headaches (D. P. Barrows 1900; K. Hedges 1986; E. W. Voegelin 1938) was rather common, as was its general use for diarrhea (Hedges; Voegelin). M. L. Zigmond (1981) reported that the Kawaiisu lined their acorn granaries with leaves of var. proliferum to keep out rain—a daunting challenge given the size of the leaves! L. Hinton (1975) reported the use of a decoction of dried flowers and roots to maintain a healthy heart, and M. C. Stevenson (1915) indicated that a powder derived from the roots was used by the Zuñi to treat wounds, whereas a root decoction was taken for colds and hoarseness. B. R. Bocek (1984) reported that the Costanoan Indians of California used a decoction of the plant to treat unspecified urinary problems. F. H. Elmore (1943) reported the use of a decoction of var. proliferum by the Navajo (Diné) people as an anti-witchcraft medicine.

Shrubs or subshrubs, compact to spreading or rounded and more or less erect, occasionally decumbent, infrequently scapose, (1-)2-15 × 2-25(-30) dm, tomentose to canescent, floccose, or glabrous. Stems sprawling or spreading to erect, often with persistent leaf bases, up to 1/ 2 or more height of plant; caudex stems absent or matted to spreading; aerial flowering stems erect to spreading, slender, solid, not fistulose, 0.3-2.5(-3) dm, tomentose, canescent, or glabrous. Leaves cauline, 1 per node or fasciculate; petiole 0.1-0.3 cm, canescent; blade linear to linear-oblanceolate or oblanceolate, 0.6-1.5(-1.8) × 0.05-0.4(-0.6) cm, white-tomentose or canescent to subglabrous abaxially, tomentose or canescent and grayish, subglabrous, or glabrous and green adaxially, margins often revolute. Inflorescences cymose, infrequently cymose-umbellate or capitate, compact to open, occasionally flat-topped, 0.2-20 × 0.2-15 cm; branches dichotomous, infrequently absent, tomentose to canescent or glabrous; bracts usually 3, scalelike, triangular, and 1-3 mm, or leaflike, linear to oblanceolate, and 3-10 × 1-3 mm. Peduncles absent. Involucres (1-)3-8 per cluster, turbinate to campanulate, 2-4 × 1.5-3 mm, canescent, pubescent, glabrous, or subglabrous; teeth 5, erect, 0.3-1.2 mm. Flowers 2.5-3 mm; perianth white to pinkish, glabrous or pubescent; tepals connate proximal 1/ 4, monomorphic, usually elliptic to obovate; stamens exserted, 2.5-5 mm; filaments subglabrous or pubescent proximally. Achenes light brown to brown, 1.8-2.5 mm, glabrous.

Dry slopes, washes and canyons in scrub.

California buckwheat is a good seed producer. Seed matures in the early fall. Annual production is about 300 pounds per acre. The seed dries on the plant, which allows some leeway in harvesting. Fruits can be stripped to dry clusters and then cleaned by machine. Without the calyx removed from the seed, there are about 334,000 seeds per pound. Seed germination is about 25 percent.

Plants can be propagated by seeding directly into containers in the greenhouse. Plants grow rapidly and should be moved into larger containers or the field as growth progresses. California buckwheat also can be seeded directly into the field. Seeding rates are 9 pounds per acre drilled and 14 pounds per acre broadcast.

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Reasons: Eriogonum fasciculatum (which is comprised of five varieties) ranges from central California (below 2300 meters) to southwestern Utah and southward into northwestern Mexico (Sonora, Baja California) on dry slopes and washes.

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

No known pest problems. California buckwheat provides an excellent insectaries habitat which primarily supports beneficial insects. Before placing it next to a crop, check with local IPM Integrated Pest Management specialists to ensure that it is compatible with targeted insect populations.

Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document only to provide specific information. USDA NRCS does not guarantee or warranty the products and control methods named, and other products may be equally effective.

‘Duro’ (CA) - is a blend of six accessions of California buckwheat. In 1964, seed was collected from six native stands in Kern, San Luis Obispo, and Modoc counties. Container plants of these accessions were planted together in three rows at the Pleasanton PMC and all subsequent plantings of ‘Duro’ were made with blended seed collected from these rows. ‘Duro’ California buckwheat was performed better than most other native California shrubs in both container plantings and direct seedlings on critically eroded areas.

California buckwheat produces about 145kg/ha (300 lbs/ac) of seed. Achenes with calyx attached are handled as seed. The calyx can be separated by rubbing the achenes through a number 6 screen. Without the calyx removed there are about 735,000 seeds per kilogram (334,000 seeds/lb.). Seed germination is approximately 25 percent.

Plants are propagated by seeding directly into containers in the greenhouse. Seedlings in the early stages of growth are somewhat susceptible to “damp-off” and quite sensitive to cold. Only “hardened” material should be used in plantings.

On wildfire burned areas, use 1-2 pounds per acre as part of a mixture. Seed germination is quite variable, so buying good quality seed is important. If germination is less than 25 percent, double the seeding rate.

Homeowners may need to buy this seed directly from specialty seed suppliers. Use 4 to 8 ounces of seed for a 10,000 square foot area. When using container plants, set plants three feet apart.

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS Web site.

California buckwheat has shown excellent performance as a conservation plant on critical areas and problem soils, such as Serpentine, decomposed granites, and high pH soils. Its showy white flowers also make it ideal for environmental enhancement uses. Due to its long flowering period, California buckwheat is also an excellent insectory plant that provides nectar sources for beneficial insects when planted next to crops as part of an (IPM) Integrated Pest Management program.

Ethnobotanic Uses: The Cahuilla drank leaf tea for headache and stomach pain. Hot root tea drunk for colds and laryngitis. Root poultice was applied to wounds. A tea of dried flowers or dried roots was taken to prevent heart problems. Studies have identified leucoanthocyanidins beneficial to the heart in other Eriogonum species.

Comments: Comprised of five varieties, with var. emphereium endemic to Baja California, Mexico (Kartesz 1999, Hickman 1993, Reveal 1989; cf. Munz 1974, Wiggins 1980).