Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Eriogonum marifolium is a species of wild buckwheat known by the common name marumleaf buckwheat. It is native to the Sierra Nevada and Klamath Mountains of California and the ranges' extensions into Oregon and Nevada. This is a dioecious mat-forming sub-shrub which grows on sandy mountain soils. It forms patches of wavy-edged pale green leaves and has erect, branching flower clusters reaching heights of anywhere from 10 to 40 centimeters. The male and female plants are often so different in appearance that they look like separate species. The male plant produces clusters of tiny pale yellow staminate flowers and the female individuals produce clusters of much larger bright yellow or red pistillate flowers.

Plant type

Shrub

Size

4 - 16 in Tall

Form

Mounding

Growth rate

Moderate

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow, Red

Flowering season

Spring

Special uses

Groundcover

Sun

Partial Shade

Water

Low, Very Low

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

Prefers sandy soils.

Site type

Sandy places

Plant communities

Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest

Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

2 confirmed and 29 likely

Confirmed Likely

Square-spotted Blue

Euphilotes battoides

Acmon Blue

Icaricia acmon

Sonoran Metalmark

Apodemia mejicanus

Mormon Metalmark

Apodemia mormo