Biology:Eriogonum cinereum

Short description: Species of wild buckwheat

Eriogonum cinereum
Conservation status
Imperiled (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Polygonaceae
Genus:	Eriogonum
Species:	E. cinereum
Binomial name
Eriogonum cinereum Benth.

Eriogonum cinereum is a species of wild buckwheat known by the common names coastal buckwheat and ashyleaf buckwheat.

Distribution

This shrub is endemic to the coastline of Southern California, primarily within Los Angeles County and Ventura County.

It grows on beaches in coastal strand habitats and on bluffs and lower slopes of the Western Transverse Ranges, including the Santa Monica Mountains, in chaparral coastal sage scrub habitats below 400 metres (1,300 ft).

Description

Eriogonum cinereum can reach from 2–4 feet (0.61–1.22 m) in height and width. It is light silvery gray in color due to the woolly hairs on its stems and foliage. The leaves are wavy-edged ovals one to three centimeters long.

The inflorescences stick out from the plant, each with one to several flower cluster heads of tiny tightly-packed frilly flowers which are usually light whitish-pink to brownish-pink in color, and quite hairy.

Uses

This is the foodplant for Euphilotes bernardino, the Bernardino dotted blue butterfly. Buckwheats (Eriogonum sp.) are very important for various butterflies and native wasps.

Cultivation

Eriogonum cinereum is cultivated as an ornamental plant, for planting in native plant, drought tolerant, and butterfly gardens and other wildlife gardens, and for larger designed natural landscaping and habitat restoration projects.

External links

• Calflora Database: Eriogonum cinereum (Ashyleaf buckwheat, Coastal wild buckwheat, Grey coast eriogonum)
• Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Eriogonum cinereum
• UC Photos gallery of Eriogonum cinereum

Wikidata ☰ Q5389353 entry