Eastern Mojave Buckwheat

Scientific Name: Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth.

Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Magnoliopsida / Caryophyllidae / Polygonales / Polygonaceae / Eriogonum Michx./ Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth.

Eastern Mojave Buckwheat
General Information
Usda SymbolERFA2
GroupDicot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsShrubSubshrub,
Native LocationsERFA2

Plant Guide

Common Names

Eastern Mojave buckwheat, wild buckwheat, buckwheat, flat-top buckwheat

Uses

California buckwheat has shown excellent performance as a conservation plant on critical areas and problem soils, such as Serpentine, decomposed granites, and high pH soils. Its showy white flowers also make it ideal for environmental enhancement uses. Due to its long flowering period, California buckwheat is also an excellent insectory plant that provides nectar sources for beneficial insects when planted next to crops as part of an (IPM) Integrated Pest Management program. Ethnobotanic Uses: The Cahuilla drank leaf tea for headache and stomach pain. Hot root tea drunk for colds and laryngitis. Root poultice was applied to wounds. A tea of dried flowers or dried roots was taken to prevent heart problems. Studies have identified leucoanthocyanidins beneficial to the heart in other Eriogonum species.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e,g, threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values), Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Eastern Mojave Buckwheat.,

Weediness

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS Web site. © Gary A. Monroe. 2003.

Description

General: California buckwheat is a native evergreen shrub about 12 to 39 inches high and 28 to 51 inches wide. Branches are numerous, slender and flexible. Leaves are egg-shaped, 1.5 to 3.8 inches long and less than half an inch wide, smooth or fuzzy above and fuzzy beneath. Flowers are white or pink. Flowering period is from May through October. Seeds are light brown, angled and very small.

Distribution

California buckwheat grows naturally on dry slopes and canyons near the coast from San Diego County north to Marin County. It is also found in Utah, Arizona and northwestern Mexico.

Habitat

Dry slopes, washes and canyons in scrub.

Adaptation

California buckwheat can be used as a conservation plant on critically eroded areas and for environmental enhancement on sandy to clay loam, moderately to well-drained soils. This species occurs abundantly in southern California but is also adapted to parts of California within the Mediterranean climate up to 2700 feet elevation where the mean annual precipitation ranges from 7-20 inches.

Establishment

California buckwheat is a good seed producer. Seed matures in the early fall. Annual production is about 300 pounds per acre. The seed dries on the plant, which allows some leeway in harvesting. Fruits can be stripped to dry clusters and then cleaned by machine. Without the calyx removed from the seed, there are about 334,000 seeds per pound. Seed germination is about 25 percent. Plants can be propagated by seeding directly into containers in the greenhouse. Plants grow rapidly and should be moved into larger containers or the field as growth progresses. California buckwheat also can be seeded directly into the field. Seeding rates are 9 pounds per acre drilled and 14 pounds per acre broadcast.

Management

On wildfire burned areas, use 1-2 pounds per acre as part of a mixture. Seed germination is quite variable, so buying good quality seed is important. If germination is less than 25 percent, double the seeding rate. Homeowners may need to buy this seed directly from specialty seed suppliers. Use 4 to 8 ounces of seed for a 10,000 square foot area. When using container plants, set plants three feet apart.

Pests and Potential Problems

No known pest problems. California buckwheat provides an excellent insectaries habitat which primarily supports beneficial insects. Before placing it next to a crop, check with local IPM Integrated Pest Management specialists to ensure that it is compatible with targeted insect populations.

Seeds and Plant Production

Plant Production

Plant Production

California buckwheat produces about 145kg/ha (300 lbs/ac) of seed. Achenes with calyx attached are handled as seed. The calyx can be separated by rubbing the achenes through a number 6 screen. Without the calyx removed there are about 735,000 seeds per kilogram (334,000 seeds/lb.). Seed germination is approximately 25 percent. Plants are propagated by seeding directly into containers in the greenhouse. Seedlings in the early stages of growth are somewhat susceptible to “damp-off” and quite sensitive to cold. Only “hardened” material should be used in plantings. Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) ‘Duro’ (CA) - is a blend of six accessions of California buckwheat. In 1964, seed was collected from six native stands in Kern, San Luis Obispo, and Modoc counties. Container plants of these accessions were planted together in three rows at the Pleasanton PMC and all subsequent plantings of ‘Duro’ were made with blended seed collected from these rows. ‘Duro’ California buckwheat was performed better than most other native California shrubs in both container plantings and direct seedlings on critically eroded areas.

Control

Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document only to provide specific information. USDA NRCS does not guarantee or warranty the products and control methods named, and other products may be equally effective.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Hedge ToleranceLow
Hedge ToleranceLow
Frost Free Days, Minimum180
Frost Free Days, Minimum140
Fire ToleranceNone
Fire ToleranceHigh
Fertility RequirementLow
Fertility RequirementLow
Drought ToleranceHigh
Drought ToleranceHigh
Cold Stratification RequiredYes
Temperature, Minimum (°F)7
CaCO3 ToleranceMedium
CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsNo
Moisture UseLow
Temperature, Minimum (°F)7
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Salinity ToleranceMedium
Salinity ToleranceHigh
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)20
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)10
Precipitation, Minimum8
Precipitation, Minimum10
Precipitation, Maximum20
Precipitation, Maximum18
Planting Density per Acre, Minim2700
Planting Density per Acre, Minim2700
Planting Density per Acre, Maxim7000
Planting Density per Acre, Maxim7000
pH, Minimum7.5
pH, Minimum6.0
pH, Maximum9.0
pH, Maximum8.5
Moisture UseLow


Morphology/Physiology

Active Growth PeriodSpring and Summer
ToxicitySlight
ToxicityNone
Shape and OrientationRounded
Shape and OrientationErect
Fire ResistantNo
Foliage TextureCoarse
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage Porosity WinterModerate
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage ColorWhite-Gray
Foliage ColorGreen
Flower ConspicuousYes
Flower ConspicuousYes
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ColorWhite
Fire ResistantNo
Resprout AbilityNo
Fall ConspicuousYes
Fall ConspicuousNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
C:N RatioHigh
C:N RatioHigh
BloatNone
BloatNone
After Harvest Regrowth RateSlow
Active Growth PeriodSpring and Summer
Resprout AbilityYes
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Nitrogen FixationNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
LifespanModerate
LifespanLong
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Height at 20 Years, Maximum (fee3
Height, Mature (feet)2.0
Foliage TextureMedium
Fruit/Seed ColorWhite
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousYes
Growth FormColonizing
Growth FormMultiple Stem
Growth RateModerate
Growth RateSlow
Height at 20 Years, Maximum (fee2


Reproduction

Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Seed per Pound300000
Fruit/Seed Period EndFall
Seed per Pound325000
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seed Spread RateSlow
Seedling VigorMedium
Seedling VigorMedium
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Bloom PeriodEarly Summer
Bloom PeriodMid Summer
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Fruit/Seed AbundanceLow
Fruit/Seed AbundanceMedium
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed Period EndFall
Fruit/Seed PersistenceYes
Propagated by Bare RootYes
Propagated by Bare RootYes
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by ContainerYes
Propagated by ContainerYes
Propagated by CormNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceYes


Suitability/Use

Palatable Browse AnimalMedium
Palatable Graze AnimalLow
Palatable Graze AnimalLow
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Post ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Protein PotentialLow
Protein PotentialLow
Pulpwood ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Palatable Browse AnimalLow
Nursery Stock ProductYes
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Fodder ProductNo
Fodder ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo

Eastern Mojave Buckwheat

Eastern Mojave Buckwheat

Eastern Mojave Buckwheat

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