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Eriogonum fasciculatum (Eastern mojave buckwheat)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy (Tucson, AZ)

Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth.

Eastern Mojave buckwheat, Eastern mojave wild buckwheat, California buckwheat

Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family)

USDA Symbol: ERFA2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This low-spreading shrub grows to 3 ft. high and 6 ft. wide. The decumbent stems are branched and leafy; the leaves being small, narrow & leathery. Flat-topped clusters of whitish or pinkish, slightly fragrant flowers occur at the branch tips.

This shrub is a favorite of bees and butterflies.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Size Class: 3-6 ft.
Leaf Color: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , NV , UT
Native Distribution: C. & s. CA to UT, s. to Baja & AZ
Native Habitat: Dry, rocky slopes & canyons
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Ssp. polifolium is the widest ranging of the many subspecies. Drought tolerant. Excellent sand dune binder and cliff hanger.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Valued honey plant.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Eriogonum fasciculatum is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Lupine Blue
(Plebejus lupini)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Electra buckmoth
(Hemileuca electra)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Description: Propagation by seed is possible.
Seed Collection: The three-sided achene can be hand-stripped from the plant.
Seed Treatment: Seeds of this genus generally germinate without pretreatment but in such a large genus, a variety of germination responses can be expected.
Commercially Avail: yes
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Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: I live in southern california. What is the best groundcover to plant on a slope to prevent erosion?
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX

Bibliography

Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Eriogonum fasciculatum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Eriogonum fasciculatum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Eriogonum fasciculatum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-21
Research By: TWC Staff

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