An erect, rounded, open, 2-5 ft. tall shrub, common and widespread on dry slopes in coastal sage scrub, less common in chaparral; mountain foothills, and Santa Ana Mountains (Roberts).  It is the most abundant Eriogonum in our area and is the most important native source of honey in California.  It is one of the earliest plants to recolonize after a fire. This species is octoploid, (n=80 rather that 40), and is thought to be "the product of ancient hybrization involving the coastal var. fasciculatum and the desert var.polifolium" (James L. Reveal, U of Maryland).  There is much overlap between this variant and the polifolium in some areas.  This variant has been widely cultivated in California and has become established in some areas from roadside planting (JM2). Major difference from ssp. fasciculatum is that the upper surface of the leaves, outer surface of the calyx and the involucres are pubescent in foliosum (DeRuff). Flowering: all year (JM2).