Scientific Family
Polygonaceae
Other common names
redroot eriogonum
wild buckwheat
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
To 2 feet
Riparian
No
Woody base, erect to slightly spreading flowering stems and mostly basal leaves. Stems spreading to erect, very hairy, rarely without hairs.
Subshrub, base woody, spreading to erect stems; leaves basal, oval, very hairy. Flowers white to pink, dark pink ribs on back of petals. Sepals cream colored or pink and hairy. Flowers in loose spikelike clusters along upper half of gray, smooth stems.
Habitat
Grasslands, sandy to gravelly flats and slopes, oak and pinyon-juniper woodlands, coniferous forests.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Grasslands
Low elevation
4500
High elevation
9000
Flower Characteristics
Flowers have dark pink ribs on backs of petals, are 1/8 inch wide and 1/4 inch long each in loose, spike-like clusters along the upper half of gray leafless flowering stems.
Flower color
White to pinkish
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are mostly basal and alternate; elliptic, ovate, oval, or nearly round, 1-1/4 inches long and 3/4 inch wide, smooth on top and very hairy below. Stems are hairy and rise from a woody base.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Achenes are light brown and not winged.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Brown