Eriogonum Microthecum, Slender Buckwheat
Plants > Wildflowers > Polygonaceae > Eriogonum Microthecum
Common name:
Slender buckwheat
Family:
Scientific name:
Eriogonum microthecum
Main flower color:
Range:
The Rocky Mountains and states to the west
Height:
Up to 5 feet
Habitat:
Dry, often sandy locations; 3,600 to 10,800 feet
Leaves:
Elliptic or linear, 1.3 inches or less in length, usually rolled lengthways (revolute)
Season:
June to October
Eriogonum microthecum is one of the taller members of this large genus; a shrub-like plant whose stem and branches become woody with age. Mature specimens can be nearly 5 feet high and wide. Leaves are short, narrow and usually folded dowwards. Both faces are tomentose (covered by short, matted hairs), especially the largely hidden lower surface. They are relatively small and sparsely distributed compared to the sometimes large plant.
The numerous tiny flowers form a flat-topped inflorescence, usually white, sometimes pinkish, orange or pale yellow, with a few scale-like bracts underneath each head. Like several other eriogonum species, slender buckwheat inhabits a wide geographical range and is highly variable, in such aspects as flower color, amount (and color) of leaf and stem hair covering, leaf dimensions, leaf shape and growth pattern.
The numerous tiny flowers form a flat-topped inflorescence, usually white, sometimes pinkish, orange or pale yellow, with a few scale-like bracts underneath each head. Like several other eriogonum species, slender buckwheat inhabits a wide geographical range and is highly variable, in such aspects as flower color, amount (and color) of leaf and stem hair covering, leaf dimensions, leaf shape and growth pattern.
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