Matted Buckwheat
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(Eriogonum caespitosum)
Matted Buckwheat (Eriogonum caespitosum)
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Jim Morefield
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Jim Morefield
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Jim Morefield | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Jim Morefield | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2016-04-20T00:19:22Z |
Summary
Eriogonum caespitosum, commonly known as matted buckwheat, is a perennial herb native to the arid regions of the western United States, particularly the Great Basin, where it thrives in sandy and gravelly soils of desert flats and slopes. This plant typically forms low, flat, woody mats with small, fuzzy gray leaves that provide a unique texture in the landscape. It produces short stalks topped with clusters of flowers that start greenish-yellow and whitish, then redden as they mature, blooming from late spring to early fall. The flowers are attractive to pollinators, especially native bees.
Matted buckwheat is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils, making it an excellent choice for rock gardens, xeriscaping, and restoration projects. It requires minimal maintenance once established and is best suited to full sun conditions with well-drained soils. While it is not commonly found in traditional garden settings, its ornamental qualities and resilience to harsh conditions make it a suitable ground cover or accent plant in arid landscapes. Care should be taken to avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot.CC BY-SA 4.0
Matted buckwheat is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils, making it an excellent choice for rock gardens, xeriscaping, and restoration projects. It requires minimal maintenance once established and is best suited to full sun conditions with well-drained soils. While it is not commonly found in traditional garden settings, its ornamental qualities and resilience to harsh conditions make it a suitable ground cover or accent plant in arid landscapes. Care should be taken to avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub, Herb
- Height: 0.3-0.5 feet
- Width: 0.5-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Red, Yellow
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden
Natural Habitat
Arid regions of the western United States, particularly the Great Basin, in sandy and gravelly soils of desert flats and slopes
Other Names
Common Names: Washoe Buckwheat, Mat Buckwheat, Mat Eriogonum, Matted Wild Buckwheat
Scientific Names: Eriogonum caespitosum, Eriogonum andinum, Eriogonum caespitosum subsp. ramosum, Eriogonum caespitosum subsp. typicum, Eriogonum caespitosum var. alyssoides, Eriogonum douglasii subsp. ramosum, Eriogonum sericoleucum, Eriogonum sericoleucum, Eriogonum sphaerocephalum var. sericoleucum
GBIF Accepted Name: Eriogonum caespitosum