Eriogonum gracile is a species of wild buckwheat known by the common name slender woolly buckwheat.Flora of North America: Eriogonum gracile
Description Eriogonum gracile is an annual herb which is quite variable in appearance. It grows erect to decumbent with a slender, branching stem 10 to 70 centimeters long, sometimes with a thick coat of woolly fibers and sometimes nearly hairless.
The oblong leaves are borne on short petioles, the largest at the base of the plant with blades approaching 6 centimeters long. There are usually leaves along the lower part of the stem. The leaves are woolly in texture, at least on the undersides.
The flowering stem is lined with small clusters of hairless flowers in shades of pink, yellow, or white.
Taxonomy Eriogonum gracile is a plant in the Eriogonum genus, which is classified in the Polygonaceae family. It was scientifically described in 1844 by George Bentham and has two accepted varieties.
Eriogonum gracile var. gracile – Native to California and Baja California Eriogonum gracile var. incultum – Native to California and Baja California
Eriogonum gracile has eight synonyms of the species or one of its two varieties.
Table of Synonyms Name Year Rank Synonym of: Notes Eriogonum acetoselloides 1856 species var. gracile = het. Eriogonum gracile var. acetoselloides 1870 variety var. gracile = het. Eriogonum gracile var. effusum 1870 variety var. gracile = het. Eriogonum gracile var. leucocladon 1870 variety var. gracile = het. Eriogonum leucocladon 1857 species var. gracile = het. Eriogonum leucocladum 1906 species var. incultum = het. Eriogonum roseum var. leucocladon 1966 variety var. gracile = het. Eriogonum vimineum subsp. gracile 1936 subspecies E. gracile ≡ hom. Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym; = heterotypic synonym
Distribution The annual plant is native to California, where it is widespread across the state except the deserts, and to parts of Baja California in northwestern Mexico.
It grows in many types of habitat, including chaparral, montane, woodland, and grasslands. It is often found on clay soils, and also in sandy places.
References
External links
Jepson Manual Treatment of Eriogonum gracile Eriogonum gracile — U.C. Photo gallery