Eriogonum Michx.: wild-buckwheat, buckwheatbrush

Abstract

The North American genus Eriogonum - wild-buckwheat, also buckwheatbrush - is made up of about 200 species of annual and perennial herbs and shrubs, most of which are found in the West. About half are woody, at least at the base. The habit of the woody species may be either (a) truly shrubby, (b) subshrubby, with annual renewal of upper shoots, or (c) pulvinate (mat-forming), with the woody shoots condensed into an above-ground caudex. The usually evergreen leaves are borne alternately and may be predominantly basal or borne along the stems. There may be whorls of leaves on the flowering stalks. The leaves are usually tomentose, at least below, and the stem nodes are often tomentose as well. The often-flat-topped inflorescences are usually borne above the leafy part of the plant and are conspicuous and characteristic even after seed dispersal.

Parent Publication

• The Woody Plant Seed Manual

Citation

Meyer, Susan E. 2008. Eriogonum Michx.: wild-buckwheat, buckwheatbrush. In: Bonner, Franklin T.; Karrfalt, Robert P., eds. The Woody Plant Seed Manual. Agric. Handbook No. 727. Washington, DC. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. p. 499-503.