Eriogonum alatum aka Winged Eriogonum

Eriogonum alatum has two common names: winged buckwheat and winged eriogonum. It belongs to Polygonaceae, the buckwheat family. Its home range spans the west-central United States into Chihuahua, Mexico. It grows in grassland, scrub, and open woods. Wild sites include sandy flats and slopes with gravel. These sites lie 984–10,171 feet [300–3,100 metres] above sea level. It grows among sagebrush, saltbush, oak, juniper, and conifers.

Plants For A Future calls it a perennial herb or small subshrub. These terms mean a long-lived herb or small woody plant. Kew's checklist instead calls it annual or biennial. That means it lives for one or two years. The sources thus disagree on its life span. Garden plants reach about 1.3–2.6 feet [0.4–0.8 metres] tall. They spread about 1–2 feet [0.3–0.6 metres] wide. The species evidence gives no clear account of its leaves. Nor does it clearly describe the bark or stems. The listed bloom season runs from July to October. Each flower has both male and female organs. Bees and other insects pollinate them.

Give this plant full sun and soil that drains well. It grows in sand and loam, even poor soil. The ground can be slightly acid, neutral, or slightly alkaline. The source says both dry and moist soil suit it. Its growing notes favour dry sites in the open. It copes with strong wind, but not coastal exposure. Plants For A Future lists USDA hardiness zones 4–9. Garden beds that meet these needs can support the plant. Its flowers give nectar and pollen; small wildlife eat its seeds.

Records list food uses for both roots and seeds. Plants For A Future rates its food value two out of five. Clean the seeds, then cook or toast them. You can also grind them into meal. Gathering enough seed takes work, and the harvest season is short. Digging up roots can harm or kill the plant. Do not gather from polluted roadsides or land harmed by mining. Records of Indigenous healing uses list root remedies for coughs and diarrhoea. They also list dressings for sores and rinses for sore gums. These past uses do not prove that treatment is safe.

Grow new plants from seed, or divide with care in early spring. Sow fresh seed in autumn, or stored seed in spring. The source advises keeping seedlings in a greenhouse through their first winter. Move them outside after the expected last frost. Take care with roots, since disturbing them can harm plants. The supplied evidence names no specific pests or diseases.