| Eriogonum ovalifolium | |
|---|---|
| var. ovalifolium | |
| Conservation status | |
|
Secure (NatureServe) |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Polygonaceae |
| Genus: | Eriogonum |
| Species: | E. ovalifolium |
| Binomial name | |
| Eriogonum ovalifolium Nutt. |
|
Eriogonum ovalifolium is a species of wild buckwheat known by the common name cushion buckwheat. It is native to western North America from California to Alberta, where it is a member of many plant communities in varied habitats. There are many varieties of this species but in general it is a tough perennial herb which forms mats in gravelly soil or amongst rocks and produces erect inflorescences up to 35 centimeters in height. The pale green to gray leaves at the base of the plant are rounded and woolly and have petioles. The clumps of flowers are yellow, light red or pink, purple, or white.
There are four[1] to eleven[2] varieties of this species. One, var. vineum, the Cushenbury buckwheat, is endemic to the San Bernardino Mountains of San Bernardino County, California.[1] It is federally listed as an endangered species of the United States, and the main threat to its existence is mining.[1] Another variety, var. williamsiae, the steamboat buckwheat, is known only from the Steamboat Hills near Reno, Nevada.[3] It is also a federally listed endangered species, and threats to it have been reduced but the populations are still quite small.[3]