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Eriogonum compositum
Eriogonum compositum Douglas ex Benth.
Arrowleaf Buckwheat, Arrow-leaf Wild Buckwheat, Northern Buckwheat
Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: ERCO12
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A strong, woody taproot supports the more-or-less prostrate, branched stems which form a mat-like clump up to 1 ft. wide. Leaves, on long, slender stalks, are oval to heart-shaped. Matted clumps of basal leaves with leafless stems and roundish clusters of tiny, whitish to deep yellow flowers. They are green above, white-woolly below. Creamy-white to deep yellow, tubular flowers are borne in rounded clusters on leafless stalks about 20 in. tall.
This is a highly variable species in a genus of many species, most of which are difficult to distinguish from one another. The seeds are an important food for small wildlife, including ants. Eriogonum, from the Greek erion ("wool") and gony ("knee" or "joint"), refers to the hairy stems of many species.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , YellowBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: CA , ID , OR , WANative Distribution: E. of the Cascades from Chelan Co., WA to n. CA, e. to Nez Perce Co., ID & n.e. OR
Native Habitat: Cliffs; talus; open, rocky slopes
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
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.
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: 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
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Eriogonum compositum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Eriogonum compositum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Eriogonum compositum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-08Research By: TWC Staff