Eriogonum is the botanical name for a genus of flowering plants, in the family Polygonaceae. The genus is found in North America and is known as Wild Buckwheat. This is a highly species-rich genus, and indications are that active speciation is continuing. It includes some common wildflowers such as the California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)

It came into the news in 2005 when the Mount Diablo buckwheat (Eriogonum truncatum, believed to be extinct) was rediscovered.

Eriogonum species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Chionodes dammersi (which feeds exclusively on Eriogonum) and Chionodes luteogeminatus (which feeds exclusively on Eriogonum niveum)

External links

• genus treatment in the Jepson Manual
• Eriogonum in the Flora of North America
• Mt. Diablo buckwheat rediscovered

Selected species

• Eriogonum arborescens: Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat
• Eriogonum cinereum: ashyleaf buckwheat
• Eriogonum crocatum: Conejo Buckwheat
• Eriogonum fasciculatum: California Buckwheat
• Eriogonum giganteum: St. Catherine's Lace
• Eriogonum grande ssp. rubescens: Red Buckwheat
• Eriogonum inflatum: Desert trumpet
• Eriogonum nudum: naked buckwheat
• Eriogonum parvifolium: coastal buckwheat
• Eriogonum truncatum: Mount Diablo buckwheat
• Eriogonum umbellatum: Sulphur Flower

Polygonaceae