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Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn
Eriogonum wrightii Torr. ex Benth.
Perennial buckwheat, Wright buckwheat, Wild buckwheat, Bastard sage
Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family)
USDA Symbol: erwr
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Wild buckwheat is a woody shrub, 2–3 feet tall, with several slender branches. The whole plant is gray. At ground level it is surrounded by a thick mat of white, woody leaves about 1 inch long, but those along the stem are narrow and inconspicuous. The white, tubular flowers are in clusters, usually attached directly to the stem along the upper 2 inches, though some are scattered lower on the branches. Each flower has reddish sepals and bracts and a red stripe on the underside of the petal. In cool weather the flowers turn reddish-orange. The plants are found in association with juniper and sagebrush.
The species name of this plant is for Charles Wright, 1811-1885, world-wide botanical collector but mainly in Texas (1837-1952), Cuba and his native Connecticut.
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf: White-Gray
Flower: Flowers 1/4 inch
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink , YellowBloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , NM , NV , TX , UTNative Distribution: CA coast through desert mts. to w. TX & adjacent Mex.
Native Habitat: Hillsides, Slopes
USDA Native Status: L48(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils. Caliche type, Limestone-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay
Conditions Comments: Drought tolerant. Good for erosion control.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Erosion control, Rock gardens, Rocky hillsideUse Wildlife: This is a deer browse plant and a source of nectar.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesSupports Conservation Biological Control
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Eriogonum wrightii is a larval host and/or nectar source for:|
Veined Blue (Plebejus neurona) Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA
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Propagation
Propagation Material: SeedsDescription: Propagation by seed is possible.
Seed Collection: The three-sided achene can be hand-stripped from the plant.
Seed Treatment: Seeds of this genus generally germinate without pretreatment but in such a large genus, a variety of germination responses can be expected.
Commercially Avail: yes
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Bibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Eriogonum wrightii in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Eriogonum wrightii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Eriogonum wrightii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2009-04-18Research By: TWC Staff
