258 Species in Genus Eriogonum

My Fascination with Eriogonum (Wild Buckwheat)

As a lifelong lover of all things botanical, I, Ferb Vu, have always been drawn to the unique beauty and diversity of the plant world. Lately, I’ve become particularly fascinated by the genus Eriogonum, commonly known as wild buckwheat. These hardy plants, with their delicate blooms and intricate structures, have captured my imagination and inspired me to learn more about their fascinating world.

Discovering the Diversity of Eriogonum

Eriogonum is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Polygonaceae, native to North America. The genus boasts over 250 species, exhibiting a remarkable array of forms, from low-growing mats to tall shrubs. This diversity is a testament to the genus’s ability to adapt and thrive in a variety of environments, from coastal dunes to alpine meadows.

One of the things that I find most captivating about Eriogonum is the sheer variety of its floral displays. The flowers, which are typically small and arranged in clusters, come in a spectrum of colors, including white, yellow, pink, red, and even purple. Some species, like Eriogonum umbellatum (sulphurflower buckwheat), have vibrant yellow blooms that resemble miniature sunflowers, while others, like Eriogonum nudum (naked buckwheat), have more subtle, creamy white flowers.

A Closer Look at Eriogonum Species

  1. Eriogonum abertianum Torr.
  2. Eriogonum acaule Nutt.
  3. Eriogonum alatum Torr.
  4. Eriogonum alexanderae (Reveal) Grady & Reveal
  5. Eriogonum aliquantum Reveal
  6. Eriogonum allenii S.Watson
  7. Eriogonum alpinum Engelm.
  8. Eriogonum × ammei Reveal & Veilleux
  9. Eriogonum ammophilum Reveal
  10. Eriogonum ampullaceum J.T.Howell
  11. Eriogonum androsaceum Benth.
  12. Eriogonum anemophilum Greene
  13. Eriogonum angelense Moran
  14. Eriogonum angulosum Benth.
  15. Eriogonum annuum Nutt.
  16. Eriogonum apiculatum S.Watson
  17. Eriogonum apricum J.T.Howell
  18. Eriogonum arborescens Greene
  19. Eriogonum arcuatum Greene
  20. Eriogonum aretioides Barneby
  21. Eriogonum argillosum J.T.Howell
  22. Eriogonum argophyllum Reveal
  23. Eriogonum arizonicum Stokes ex M.E.Jones
  24. Eriogonum artificis Reveal
  25. Eriogonum atrorubens Engelm.
  26. Eriogonum austrinum (S.Stokes) Reveal
  27. Eriogonum baileyi S.Watson
  28. Eriogonum batemanii M.E.Jones
  29. Eriogonum bicolor M.E.Jones
  30. Eriogonum bifurcatum Reveal
  31. Eriogonum brachyanthum Coville
  32. Eriogonum brachypodum Torr. & A.Gray
  33. Eriogonum brandegeei Rydb.
  34. Eriogonum breedlovei (J.T.Howell) Reveal
  35. Eriogonum brevicaule Nutt.
  36. Eriogonum butterworthianum J.T.Howell
  37. Eriogonum caespitosum Nutt.
  38. Eriogonum calaverense León de la Luz & Rebman
  39. Eriogonum calcareum (S.Stokes) Grady & Reveal
  40. Eriogonum callistum Reveal
  41. Eriogonum capillare Small
  42. Eriogonum capistratum Reveal
  43. Eriogonum cedrorum Reveal & Raiche
  44. Eriogonum cernuum Nutt.
  45. Eriogonum chrysops Rydb.
  46. Eriogonum ciliatum Torr. ex Benth.
  47. Eriogonum cinereum Benth.
  48. Eriogonum cithariforme S.Watson
  49. Eriogonum clavatum Small
  50. Eriogonum clavellatum Small
  51. Eriogonum clivosum W.J.Hess & Reveal
  52. Eriogonum codium Reveal, Caplow & K.Beck
  53. Eriogonum collinum S.Stokes ex M.E.Jones
  54. Eriogonum coloradense Small
  55. Eriogonum compositum Douglas ex Benth.
  56. Eriogonum concinnum Reveal
  57. Eriogonum congdonii (S.Stokes) Reveal
  58. Eriogonum contiguum (Reveal) Reveal
  59. Eriogonum contortum Small
  60. Eriogonum correllii Reveal
  61. Eriogonum corymbosum Benth.
  62. Eriogonum covilleanum Eastw.
  63. Eriogonum crocatum Davidson Plant FAQs: Eriogonum Crocatum
  64. Eriogonum cronquistii Reveal
  65. Eriogonum crosbyae Reveal
  66. Eriogonum cusickii M.E.Jones
  67. Eriogonum darrovii Kearney
  68. Eriogonum dasyanthemum Torr. & A.Gray
  69. Eriogonum davidsonii Greene
  70. Eriogonum deflexum Torr.
  71. Eriogonum deserticola S.Watson
  72. Eriogonum diatomaceum Reveal, J.Reynolds & Picciani
  73. Eriogonum diclinum Reveal
  74. Eriogonum divaricatum Hook.
  75. Eriogonum domitum Grady & Reveal
  76. Eriogonum douglasii Benth.
  77. Eriogonum × duchesnense Reveal
  78. Eriogonum eastwoodianum J.T.Howell
  79. Eriogonum effusum Nutt.
  80. Eriogonum elatum Douglas ex Benth.
  81. Eriogonum elegans Greene
  82. Eriogonum elongatum Benth.
  83. Eriogonum encelioides Reveal & C.A.Hanson
  84. Eriogonum ephedroides Reveal
  85. Eriogonum eremicola J.T.Howell & Reveal
  86. Eriogonum eremicum Reveal
  87. Eriogonum ericifolium A.Gray
  88. Eriogonum esmeraldense S.Watson
  89. Eriogonum evanidum Reveal
  90. Eriogonum exaltatum M.E.Jones
  91. Eriogonum exilifolium Reveal
  92. Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. Plant FAQs: Eriogonum Fasciculatum – California Buckwheat
  93. Eriogonum fastigiatum Parry
  94. Eriogonum fimbriatum W.J.Hess & Reveal
  95. Eriogonum flavum Nutt. ex Benth.
  96. Eriogonum foliosum S.Watson
  97. Eriogonum fusiforme Small
  98. Eriogonum galioides I.M.Johnst.
  99. Eriogonum giganteum S.Watson Plant FAQs: Eriogonum Giganteum – Giant Buckwheat
  100. Eriogonum gilmanii S.Stokes
  101. Eriogonum glandulosum (Nutt.) Nutt. ex Benth.
  102. Eriogonum gordonii Benth.
  103. Eriogonum gossypinum Curran
  104. Eriogonum gracile Benth.
  105. Eriogonum gracilipes S.Watson
  106. Eriogonum gracillimum S.Watson
  107. Eriogonum grande Greene
  108. Eriogonum greggii Torr. & A.Gray
  109. Eriogonum gypsophilum Wooton & Standl.
  110. Eriogonum hastatum Wiggins
  111. Eriogonum havardii S.Watson
  112. Eriogonum heermannii Durand & Hilg.
  113. Eriogonum helichrysoides Prain
  114. Eriogonum hemipterum (Torr. & A.Gray) S.Stokes
  115. Eriogonum henricksonii Reveal
  116. Eriogonum heracleoides Nutt.
  117. Eriogonum hieraciifolium Benth.
  118. Eriogonum hirtellum J.T.Howell & Bacigal.
  119. Eriogonum hirtiflorum A.Gray ex S.Watson
  120. Eriogonum hoffmannii S.Stokes
  121. Eriogonum holmgrenii Reveal
  122. Eriogonum hookeri S.Watson
  123. Eriogonum howellianum Reveal
  124. Eriogonum hylophilum Reveal & Brotherson
  125. Eriogonum incanum Torr. & A.Gray
  126. Eriogonum inerme (S.Watson) Jeps.
  127. Eriogonum inflatum Torr.
  128. Eriogonum intrafractum Coville & C.V.Morton
  129. Eriogonum intricatum Benth.
  130. Eriogonum jamesii Benth.
  131. Eriogonum jonesii S.Watson
  132. Eriogonum kelloggii A.Gray
  133. Eriogonum kennedyi Porter ex S.Watson
  134. Eriogonum kingii Torr. & A.Gray
  135. Eriogonum lachnogynum Torr. ex Benth.
  136. Eriogonum lagunense M.E.Jones
  137. Eriogonum lancifolium Reveal & Brotherson
  138. Eriogonum latens Jeps.
  139. Eriogonum latifolium Sm.
  140. Eriogonum lemmonii S.Watson
  141. Eriogonum leptocladon Torr. & A.Gray
  142. Eriogonum leptophyllum (Torr.) Wooton & Standl.
  143. Eriogonum lewisii Reveal
  144. Eriogonum libertini Reveal
  145. Eriogonum lobbii Torr. & A.Gray
  146. Eriogonum lonchophyllum Torr. & A.Gray
  147. Eriogonum longifolium Nutt.
  148. Eriogonum luteolum Greene
  149. Eriogonum maculatum A.Heller
  150. Eriogonum mancum Rydb.
  151. Eriogonum marifolium A.Gray
  152. Eriogonum meledonum Reveal
  153. Eriogonum mensicola S.Stokes
  154. Eriogonum microtheca Nutt.
  155. Eriogonum mohavense S.Watson
  156. Eriogonum molestum S.Watson
  157. Eriogonum molle Greene
  158. Eriogonum moranii Reveal
  159. Eriogonum mortonianum Reveal
  160. Eriogonum multiflorum Benth.
  161. Eriogonum natum Reveal
  162. Eriogonum nealleyi Coult.
  163. Eriogonum × nebraskense Rydb.
  164. Eriogonum nervulosum (S.Stokes) Reveal
  165. Eriogonum nidularium Coville
  166. Eriogonum niveum Douglas ex Benth.
  167. Eriogonum nortonii Greene
  168. Eriogonum novonudum M.Peck
  169. Eriogonum nudum Douglas ex Benth.
  170. Eriogonum nummulare M.E.Jones
  171. Eriogonum nutans Torr. & A.Gray
  172. Eriogonum ochrocephalum S.Watson
  173. Eriogonum orcuttianum S.Watson
  174. Eriogonum ordii S.Watson
  175. Eriogonum ostlundii M.E.Jones
  176. Eriogonum ovalifolium Nutt.
  177. Eriogonum palmerianum Reveal
  178. Eriogonum panamintense C.V.Morton
  179. Eriogonum panguicense (M.E.Jones) Reveal
  180. Eriogonum parishii S.Watson
  181. Eriogonum parvifolium Sm.
  182. Eriogonum pauciflorum Pursh
  183. Eriogonum pelinophilum Reveal
  184. Eriogonum pendulum S.Watson
  185. Eriogonum pharnaceoides Torr.
  186. Eriogonum pilosum S.Stokes
  187. Eriogonum plumatella Durand & Hilg.
  188. Eriogonum polycladon Benth.
  189. Eriogonum polypodum Small
  190. Eriogonum pondii Greene
  191. Eriogonum prattenianum Durand
  192. Eriogonum preclarum Reveal
  193. Eriogonum prociduum Reveal
  194. Eriogonum pulchrum Eastw.
  195. Eriogonum pusillum Torr. & A.Gray
  196. Eriogonum pyrolifolium Hook.
  197. Eriogonum racemosum Nutt.
  198. Eriogonum reniforme Torr. & Frém.
  199. Eriogonum repens (S.Stokes) Reveal
  200. Eriogonum ripleyi J.T.Howell
  201. Eriogonum rixfordii S.Stokes
  202. Eriogonum robustum Greene
  203. Eriogonum rosense A.Nelson & P.B.Kenn.
  204. Eriogonum roseum Durand & Hilg.
  205. Eriogonum rotundifolium Benth.
  206. Eriogonum rubricaule Tidestr.
  207. Eriogonum rupinum Reveal
  208. Eriogonum salicornioides Gand.
  209. Eriogonum saxatile S.Watson
  210. Eriogonum scabrellum Reveal
  211. Eriogonum scalare S.Watson
  212. Eriogonum scopulorum Reveal
  213. Eriogonum shockleyi S.Watson
  214. Eriogonum siskiyouense Small
  215. Eriogonum smithii Reveal
  216. Eriogonum soliceps Reveal & Björk
  217. Eriogonum soredium Reveal
  218. Eriogonum spathulatum A.Gray
  219. Eriogonum spectabile B.L.Corbin & Reveal & R.Barron
  220. Eriogonum spergulinum A.Gray
  221. Eriogonum sphaerocephalum Douglas ex Benth.
  222. Eriogonum strictum Benth.
  223. Eriogonum subreniforme S.Watson
  224. Eriogonum suffruticosum S.Watson
  225. Eriogonum temblorense J.T.Howell & Twisselm.
  226. Eriogonum tenellum Torr.
  227. Eriogonum ternatum Howell
  228. Eriogonum terrenatum Reveal
  229. Eriogonum thomasii Torr.
  230. Eriogonum thompsoniae S.Watson
  231. Eriogonum thornei (Reveal & Henr.) L.M.Shultz
  232. Eriogonum thurberi Torr.
  233. Eriogonum thymoides Benth.
  234. Eriogonum tiehmii Reveal
  235. Eriogonum tomentosum Michx.
  236. Eriogonum trichopes Torr.
  237. Eriogonum tripodum Greene
  238. Eriogonum truncatum Torr. & A.Gray
  239. Eriogonum tumulosum (Barneby) Reveal
  240. Eriogonum turneri Reveal
  241. Eriogonum twisselmannii (J.T.Howell) Reveal
  242. Eriogonum umbellatum Torr. Plant FAQs: Eriogonum Umbellatum – Sulphurflower Buckwheat
  243. Eriogonum ursinum S.Watson
  244. Eriogonum vestitum J.T.Howell
  245. Eriogonum villiflorum A.Gray
  246. Eriogonum villosissimum Reveal & D.A.York
  247. Eriogonum vimineum Douglas ex Benth.
  248. Eriogonum viridescens A.Heller
  249. Eriogonum viridulum Reveal
  250. Eriogonum viscanum W.J.Hess & Reveal
  251. Eriogonum viscidulum J.T.Howell
  252. Eriogonum visheri A.Nelson
  253. Eriogonum watsonii Torr. & A.Gray
  254. Eriogonum wetherillii Eastw.
  255. Eriogonum wootonii (Reveal) Reveal
  256. Eriogonum wrightii Torr. ex Benth.
  257. Eriogonum zapatoense Moran
  258. Eriogonum zionis J.T.Howell

The Ecological Importance of Eriogonum

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Eriogonum species play a crucial role in their respective ecosystems. They are a vital food source for a wide range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and moths. The flowers provide nectar and pollen, while the leaves are a food source for the larvae of some butterfly species.

Eriogonum plants also help to stabilize soils and prevent erosion, particularly in arid and semi-arid environments. Their deep root systems can access water deep within the soil, making them drought-tolerant and able to survive in harsh conditions.

My Personal Connection to Eriogonum

My interest in Eriogonum goes beyond mere admiration. I believe that these plants have the potential to play an even greater role in sustainable landscaping and ecological restoration. Their drought tolerance and ability to attract pollinators make them ideal candidates for gardens and landscapes in water-scarce regions.

I am also intrigued by the potential medicinal uses of Eriogonum. Some species have traditionally been used by Native American tribes for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Further research into these properties could lead to the development of new and effective treatments for a variety of ailments.

Looking Ahead

As I continue to explore the world of Eriogonum, I am excited to see what the future holds for these remarkable plants. I believe that they have much to offer us, both aesthetically and ecologically. By appreciating and understanding these plants, we can learn to live more sustainably and in harmony with the natural world.

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