Eriogonum gracile
| Eriogonum gracile | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Polygonaceae |
| Genus: | Eriogonum |
| Species: | E. gracile |
| Binomial name | |
| Eriogonum gracile | |
| Varieties[2] | |
| |
| Synonyms[3][4] | |
| |
Eriogonum gracile is a species of wild buckwheat known by the common name slender woolly buckwheat.[5]
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.[2]
- Eriogonum gracile var. gracile – Native to California and Baja California[3]
- Eriogonum gracile var. incultum – Native to California and Baja California[4]
Eriogonum gracile has eight synonyms of the species or one of its two varieties.[2][3][4]
| Name | Year | Rank | Synonym of: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eriogonum acetoselloides Torr. ex Benth. | 1856 | species | var. gracile | = het. |
| Eriogonum gracile var. acetoselloides (Torr. ex Benth.) Torr. & A.Gray | 1870 | variety | var. gracile | = het. |
| Eriogonum gracile var. effusum Torr. & A.Gray | 1870 | variety | var. gracile | = het. |
| Eriogonum gracile var. leucocladon (Benth.) Torr. & A.Gray | 1870 | variety | var. gracile | = het. |
| Eriogonum leucocladon Benth. | 1857 | species | var. gracile | = het. |
| Eriogonum leucocladum Gand. | 1906 | species | var. incultum | = het. |
| Eriogonum roseum var. leucocladon (Benth.) Hoover | 1966 | variety | var. gracile | = het. |
| Eriogonum vimineum subsp. gracile (Benth.) S.Stokes | 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
- ↑ NatureServe (31 July 2026). "Eriogonum gracile". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 POWO (2026). "Eriogonum gracile Benth". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 POWO (2026). "Eriogonum gracile var. gracile". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 POWO (2026). "Eriogonum gracile var. incultum Reveal". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- ↑ Flora of North America: Eriogonum gracile
External links
Media related to Eriogonum gracile at Wikimedia Commons- Jepson Manual Treatment of Eriogonum gracile
- Eriogonum gracile — U.C. Photo gallery