Eriogonum fasciculatum – “California Buckwheat”

Acmon Blue butterfly, Lupine Blue butterfly, Buckwheat Borer Moth, Electra Buckmoth, Burns’ Buckmoth, Neumoegen’s BuckmothAlso Known As: Mojave Buckwheat, Eastern Mojave Buckwheat
Family: Buckwheat (Polygonaceae)
Bloom Period: Apr-Sep
Form: Perennial shrub
Habitat: Variety of locations from sandy washes to rocky slopes
Leaves: Linear; clumped in bunches
Translation: “Eriogonum” is Greek for “woolly joint” and refers to the fuzzy-looking flowers that grow at the stem joints of some species in this genus (but not this one); “fasciculatum” is Latin for “bundle” which describes the way the leaves are attached to the leaf stem in little bunches (which are called “fascicles”).
Native American Uses: Various Native Americans ate the seeds and stored them for winter use as well as treating many different ailments. The Coahuila used it for headaches, stomach pain and as an eyewash, the Ohlone for urinary problems and the Kumeyaay for babies with diarrhea, and as a heart tonic or emetic (vomit inducer) for adults. The Zuni made a poultice of the powdered root for healing wounds, including from arrows and bullets, and drank a decoction of the root for sore throats and to heal lacerations suffered during childbirth. The Navajo used a decoction of the plant as anti-witchcraft medicine. The Kawaiisu used the wood to pierce ears and lined acorn granaries with the leaves to keep the nuts dry.
Animal Associations: California Buckwheat is an important nectar source for bees, including the Honey Bee. Nectar source for butterflies, including the Mormon Metalmark, Behr’s Metalmark, Gorgon Copper, Bramble Hairstreak, Bernardino Dotted-Blue, Boisduval’s Blue, and the endangered El Segundo Blue. Larvae of the Behr’s Metalmark butterfly eat the leaves and hibernate in the dead flower heads. Also a host plant for Acmon Blue butterfly, Lupine Blue butterfly, Buckwheat Borer Moth, Electra Buckmoth, Burns’ Buckmoth and Neumoegen’s Buckmoth. Seeds are eaten by the Western Harvest Mouse.