UCI Ecological Preserve, Irvine, Orange County, CA. 6-27-11. © Joan Avise.

California Buckwheat

Eriogonum fasciculatum, spp. fasciculatum

A low, spreading generally decumbent perennial shrub with 2-4 ft. branches. There are four similar subspecies recognized. This subpecies (fasciculatum) is tetraploid (n=40).

Polygonaceae; Subfamily Eriogonoideae

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UCI Ecological Preserve, Irvine, Orange County, CA. 6-27-11. © Joan Avise.

UCI Ecological Preserve, Irvine, Orange County, CA. 6-27-11. © Joan Avise.

Decumbent growth form. Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 3-21-09. © Joan Avise.

Flower clusters form at the ends of 1-4 in. leafless stems in heads about 1 inch in diameter. © Peter J. Bryant

The leaves grow in bundles (fascicled), smooth (glabrous) and green above. UCI Ecological Preserve, Irvine, Orange County, CA. 12-02-11. © Joan Avise.

Leaf margins tightly rolled under; leaf underside white and woolly. UCI Ecological Preserve, Irvine, Orange County, CA. 12-02-11. © Joan Avise.

Flowers are only a few mm across but form dense clusters. Moro Canyon, Crystal Cove State Park, Orange County, CA. 11-16-11. © Peter J. Bryant

Anthers deep pink. Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 12-16-12. © Peter J. Bryant (focus-stacked image)

The 6-lobed calyx is white or pinkish with no petals. Moro Canyon, Crystal Cove State Park, Orange County, CA. 11-16-11. © Peter J. Bryant

Nine stamens, filaments exserted, spreading, ~3 mm long. Anthers longitudinally dehiscent. Three styles, exserted. Moro Canyon, Crystal Cove State Park, Orange County, CA. 11-16-11. © Peter J. Bryant

Senescent chestnet-colored flower heads. UCI Ecological Preserve, Irvine, Orange County, CA. 12-02-11. © Joan Avise.

New flowers appear until late autumn from the dying chestnut-brown heads. UCI Ecological Preserve, Irvine, Orange County, CA.12-02-11. © Joan Avise.
Associated Insects
Buckwheat is a nectar source for numerous butterflies, bees and other insects. It is also the larval foodplant for the following butterflies:

Bernardino Blue,
Euphilotes bernardino

Gray Hairstreak,
Strymon melinus

Behr's Metalmark,
Apodemia virgulti

Bramble Hairstreak,
Callophrys perplexa