Eriogonum fasciculatum aka California Wild Buckwheat

Eriogonum fasciculatum has two common names: California buckwheat and Eastern Mojave buckwheat. It is part of Polygonaceae, the knotweed family. This evergreen plant grows as a low shrub or subshrub. Kew gives its native range as western California to Baja California, Mexico. Oregon State lists a wider range, with Utah and Arizona. It also lists northern Mexico beyond Baja California. The plant is not native to Oregon, Britain, or Ireland.

Its shape can be tight and round or spread wide. Virginia Tech describes an open shrub with more than one stem. It reaches about 3 feet (0.9 metres) in height. Oregon State notes branches that reach about 3 feet (0.9 metres). Thin twigs are reddish-brown and peel in fine strips. Many short shoots bear tight groups of leaves. The bark turns light gray, splits, and sheds fine shreds. The dark leaves stand out against these woody parts.

The small, narrow leaves have an almost needle-like shape. They grow in an alternate pattern, but bunch at nodes. These are the points where leaves join the stem. Each leaf is about one-fifth to three-fifths of an inch long. The top face is green to dark green. Fine white hairs cover the paler lower face. The edges roll inward, which makes the leaves look narrow. The plant keeps its leaves and does not shed them each year. Tight groups of leaves give the shoots a tufted look.

Small flowers grow in groups at the ends of long stems. Each flower is about one-eighth of an inch across. The round flower groups can span several inches. The flowers can be white, cream, yellow, or pink. Oregon State gives the bloom time as late spring to early fall. Virginia Tech says flowers last through the growing season. The fruit is a plain brown achene, a type of dry fruit. It adds little to the plant's looks. Butterflies visit the flowers, and birds eat the seeds.

In gardens, give this shrub sun and soil that drains well. Oregon State favors loose soil with gravel. It lists the plant as hardy to USDA Zone 7. Its low form and long bloom season suit sunny garden sites. The flowers and seeds also give it value for wildlife. The supplied species accounts give no details on pests or disease. They do not show that people can eat this plant. Nor do they show that it is safe for people or pets.