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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia
Eriogonum umbellatum Torr.
Sulphur-flower buckwheat, Sulphur-flower wild buckwheat, Sulphur buckwheat, Sulphur flower
Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family)
USDA Symbol: erum
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
This is an exceedingly variable species with many different varieties & subspecies. Plant height varies from 3 in. to 3 ft., but all plants make loose mats of leaves, often green above and gray-woolly beneath. Leaves at base, and on long, erect stalks bloom tiny, yellow or cream flowers in balls at ends of branches of an umbel-like cluster. Flower clusters occur on 6-9 in. stems. The cream to sulfur-yellow, tubular flowers fade to orange or red.
Sulphur Buckwheat is highly variable, and this adds to the difficulties of identification in a complex group of similar western species.
From the Image Gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf: Gray-Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , YellowBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NM , NV , OR , UT , WA , WYCanada: AB , SK
Native Distribution: Rocky Mts. (typical form) & other cold, western mt. sites
Native Habitat: Dry, mt. slopes & ridges
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Gravelly soils.
Conditions Comments: Because the species is so variable, it is especially important to choose material from a habitat that matches your site.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesAttracts: Butterflies
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesSupports Conservation Biological Control
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Eriogonum umbellatum is a larval host and/or nectar source for:|
Lupine Blue (Plebejus lupini)  Larval Host |
Propagation
Description: Propagate only by seed as it is nearly impossible to transplant or divide the long taproots of mature plants. Plant seed thickly as germination is low.Seed Collection: The three-sided achene can be hand-stripped from the plant.
Seed Treatment: No treatment is necessary, but a 3-month stratification may improve germination.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
From the National Suppliers Directory
According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:Oregon Native Plant Nursery - Woodburn, OR
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 995 - 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 pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Eriogonum umbellatum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Eriogonum umbellatum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Eriogonum umbellatum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2013-05-29Research By: TWC Staff
