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bastard-sage, bastard-sage buckwheat, Wright's buckwheat, Wright's wild buckwheat

single-stem wild buckwheat, singlestem buckwheat

Habit Shrubs, subshrubs, or herbs, rarely scapose, (1–)1.5–10 × 1–15(–18) dm or, if matted, 0.1–2.5(–3) × 0.5–3(–5) dm, , lanate to thinly tomentose, or glabrous, grayish to greenish or reddish. Herbs, matted, not scapose, 0.15–0.3 × 1–2 dm, tomentose, greenish.
Stems

spreading to erect, with or without persistent leaf bases, up to 1/2 or more height of plant;

caudex stems absent or spreading, occasionally matted;

aerial flowering stems erect to spreading, stout to slender, solid, not fistulose, (0.1–)0.5–4(–6) dm, tomentose, floccose, or glabrous.

matted, with persistent leaf bases, up to 1/8 height of plant;

caudex stems matted;

aerial flowering stems erect, slender, solid, not fistulose, 0.05–0.2 dm, tomentose.

Leaves

basal and fasciculate in terminal tufts, or cauline and fasciculate, occasionally 1 per node;

petiole 0.02–0.5(–1) cm, tomentose to floccose;

blade oblanceolate to broadly elliptic, 0.1–3 × 0.1–1 cm, tomentose to floccose, sometimes subglabrous or glabrous and green adaxially, margins plane, sometimes revolute.

sheathing entire stem, 1 per node or fasciculate;

petiole 0.05–0.15 cm, glabrous;

blade linear to oblanceolate, 0.3–0.8 × 0.1–0.2 cm, densely white-tomentose on both surfaces, margins revolute.

Inflorescences

virgate or cymose with involucres disposed at tips racemosely arranged involucres, rarely capitate, (1–)5–20 × (1–)10–40 cm;

branches dichotomous, tomentose, floccose, or glabrous;

bracts 3, triangular, scalelike, 0.5–3.5 mm.

cymose or racemose, condensed, 0.2–0.5(–0.8) × 0.3–0.8 cm;

branches dichotomous or secondaries suppressed, tomentose;

bracts absent.

Peduncles

absent.

absent.

Involucres

1 per node, turbinate to narrowly campanulate, (0.7–)1–4 × 1–2.5 mm, tomentose, floccose, or glabrous;

teeth 5, erect, 0.3–1 mm.

1 per node, campanulate, 1.5–3 × 1.5–3 mm, tomentose;

teeth 4–5, erect to slightly spreading, 1–2 mm.

Flowers

1–4 mm;

perianth white to pink or rose, glabrous;

tepals connate proximal 1/4, monomorphic, obovate;

stamens exserted, 1.5–4 mm;

filaments glabrous or sparsely pilose proximally.

2–2.5 mm;

perianth yellow, white-tomentose abaxially;

tepals connate proximal 1/4, monomorphic, lanceolate;

stamens exserted, 2.5–3 mm;

filaments pilose proximally.

Achenes

light brown to brown, (1–)1.5–3 mm, glabrous.

light brown, 2–2.5 mm, sparsely pubescent.

Eriogonum wrightii

Eriogonum acaule

Phenology Flowering May–Jul.
Habitat Gravelly or clayey flats and slopes, saltbush or sagebrush communities
Elevation 2000-2500 m (6600-8200 ft)
Distribution
from FNA
AZ; CA; NM; NV; TX; UT; including nw Mexico
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
from FNA
CO; WY
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Varieties 9 (6 in the flora).

Eriogonum wrightii is subdivided into several varieties most of which are distinct, although a few have rather indistinct boundaries. Some of the variation has yet to be fully resolved, especially in the var. nodosum complex where, at least in Mexico, one additional expression remains to be named. A clear distinction between var. subscaposum and E. kennedyi is not possible in southern California (see discussion below). Nearly all of the varieties of E. wrightii are in cultivation, although the most elegant (var. olanchense) has yet to be so honored.

Few ethnobotanical uses of bastard-sage are reported in the literature. L. C. Wyman and S. K. Harris (1951) noted that the Kayenta Navajo use it (var. wrightii) as an emetic, while M. L. Zigmond (1981) stated that the Kawaiisu used the pounded seeds (probably of var. subscaposum) in a beverage or as a dry meal. Members of the species are food plants for the rare Rita dotted-blue butterfly (Euphilotes rita), the Pacific dotted-blue (E. enoptes), the veined blue (Plebeius neurona), and the Mormon metalmark (Apodemia mormo mormo).

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Eriogonum acaule is the ultimate reduction in the E. brevicaule complex. The low, matted habit of this rather elegant species makes it attractive to rock garden enthusiasts. In Colorado, the Bureau of Land Management considers it a “sensitive” species; it is known only from Moffat County. It is encountered more frequently in Wyoming, where it is found in Albany, Carbon, Fremont, Lincoln, Natrona, Sublette, Sweetwater, Teton, and Uinta counties. The species is to be expected just south of the Daggett County line in northeastern Utah.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Key
1. Plants loosely to compactly matted or herbs
→ 2
1. Plants shrubs or subshrubs
→ 3
2. Plants 0.5-2.5(-3) dm; leaf blades 0.5-1(-1.2) cm; involucres 1.5-4 mm; e and s California,wc Nevada
var. subscaposum
2. Plants 0.1-0.3(-0.6) dm; leaf blades 0.1-0.25 cm; involucres 0.8-1.7(-2) mm; se California
var. olanchense
3. Flowering stems and branches grayish, lanate to densely tomentose; sw Arizona, se California
var. nodosum
3. Flowering stems and inflorescence branches whitish, reddish, or greenish, tomentose to floccose; widespread
→ 4
4. Petiole bases forming distinct ring around stem; leaf blades 0.2-0.6(-1) × 0.1-0.3(-0.4) cm; s California
var. membranaceum
4. Petiole bases not forming distinct ring around stem; leaf blades 0.5-3 × 0.2-1 cm; sw United States, Mexico
→ 5
5. Leaf blades 0.5-1.5 × 0.2-0.5(-0.7) cm; involucres 2-2.5 mm; flowers 2.5-3.5 mm; se California to w Texas
var. wrightii
5. Leaf blades 1.5-3 × 0.5-1 cm; involucres 3-4 mm; flowers 3-4 mm; c and nw California
var. trachygonum
Source FNA vol. 5, p. 289. FNA vol. 5, p. 270.
Parent taxa Polygonaceae > subfam. Eriogonoideae > Eriogonum > subg. Eucycla Polygonaceae > subfam. Eriogonoideae > Eriogonum > subg. Eucycla
Sibling taxa
E. abertianum, E. acaule, E. alatum, E. aliquantum, E. allenii, E. alpinum, E. ammophilum, E. ampullaceum, E. androsaceum, E. anemophilum, E. angulosum, E. annuum, E. apiculatum, E. apricum, E. arborescens, E. arcuatum, E. aretioides, E. argillosum, E. argophyllum, E. arizonicum, E. artificis, E. atrorubens, E. baileyi, E. batemanii, E. bicolor, E. bifurcatum, E. brachyanthum, E. brachypodum, E. brandegeei, E. breedlovei, E. brevicaule, E. butterworthianum, E. caespitosum, E. capillare, E. cernuum, E. chrysops, E. cinereum, E. cithariforme, E. clavatum, E. clavellatum, E. codium, E. collinum, E. coloradense, E. compositum, E. concinnum, E. congdonii, E. contiguum, E. contortum, E. correllii, E. corymbosum, E. covilleanum, E. crocatum, E. cronquistii, E. crosbyae, E. cusickii, E. darrovii, E. dasyanthemum, E. davidsonii, E. deflexum, E. deserticola, E. desertorum, E. diatomaceum, E. diclinum, E. divaricatum, E. douglasii, E. eastwoodianum, E. effusum, E. elatum, E. elegans, E. elongatum, E. ephedroides, E. eremicola, E. eremicum, E. ericifolium, E. esmeraldense, E. evanidum, E. exaltatum, E. exilifolium, E. fasciculatum, E. flavum, E. fusiforme, E. giganteum, E. gilmanii, E. glandulosum, E. gordonii, E. gossypinum, E. gracile, E. gracilipes, E. gracillimum, E. grande, E. greggii, E. gypsophilum, E. havardii, E. heermannii, E. helichrysoides, E. hemipterum, E. heracleoides, E. hieracifolium, E. hirtellum, E. hirtiflorum, E. hoffmannii, E. holmgrenii, E. hookeri, E. howellianum, E. hylophilum, E. incanum, E. inerme, E. inflatum, E. intrafractum, E. jamesii, E. jonesii, E. kelloggii, E. kennedyi, E. kingii, E. lachnogynum, E. lancifolium, E. latens, E. latifolium, E. lemmonii, E. leptocladon, E. leptophyllum, E. libertini, E. lobbii, E. loganum, E. lonchophyllum, E. longifolium, E. luteolum, E. maculatum, E. mancum, E. marifolium, E. mensicola, E. microthecum, E. mitophyllum, E. mohavense, E. molestum, E. mortonianum, E. multiflorum, E. natum, E. nealleyi, E. nervulosum, E. nidularium, E. niveum, E. nortonii, E. novonudum, E. nudum, E. nummulare, E. nutans, E. ochrocephalum, E. ordii, E. ostlundii, E. ovalifolium, E. palmerianum, E. panamintense, E. panguicense, E. parishii, E. parvifolium, E. pauciflorum, E. pelinophilum, E. pendulum, E. pharnaceoides, E. plumatella, E. polycladon, E. polypodum, E. prattenianum, E. prociduum, E. pulchrum, E. pusillum, E. pyrolifolium, E. racemosum, E. reniforme, E. ripleyi, E. rixfordii, E. robustum, E. rosense, E. roseum, E. rotundifolium, E. rubricaule, E. rupinum, E. salicornioides, E. saxatile, E. scabrellum, E. scopulorum, E. shockleyi, E. siskiyouense, E. smithii, E. soliceps, E. soredium, E. spathulatum, E. spectabile, E. spergulinum, E. sphaerocephalum, E. strictum, E. subreniforme, E. suffruticosum, E. temblorense, E. tenellum, E. ternatum, E. terrenatum, E. thomasii, E. thompsoniae, E. thornei, E. thurberi, E. thymoides, E. tiehmii, E. tomentosum, E. trichopes, E. tripodum, E. truncatum, E. tumulosum, E. twisselmannii, E. umbellatum, E. ursinum, E. vestitum, E. villiflorum, E. vimineum, E. viridescens, E. viridulum, E. viscidulum, E. visheri, E. watsonii, E. wetherillii, E. wootonii, E. zionis
E. abertianum, E. alatum, E. aliquantum, E. allenii, E. alpinum, E. ammophilum, E. ampullaceum, E. androsaceum, E. anemophilum, E. angulosum, E. annuum, E. apiculatum, E. apricum, E. arborescens, E. arcuatum, E. aretioides, E. argillosum, E. argophyllum, E. arizonicum, E. artificis, E. atrorubens, E. baileyi, E. batemanii, E. bicolor, E. bifurcatum, E. brachyanthum, E. brachypodum, E. brandegeei, E. breedlovei, E. brevicaule, E. butterworthianum, E. caespitosum, E. capillare, E. cernuum, E. chrysops, E. cinereum, E. cithariforme, E. clavatum, E. clavellatum, E. codium, E. collinum, E. coloradense, E. compositum, E. concinnum, E. congdonii, E. contiguum, E. contortum, E. correllii, E. corymbosum, E. covilleanum, E. crocatum, E. cronquistii, E. crosbyae, E. cusickii, E. darrovii, E. dasyanthemum, E. davidsonii, E. deflexum, E. deserticola, E. desertorum, E. diatomaceum, E. diclinum, E. divaricatum, E. douglasii, E. eastwoodianum, E. effusum, E. elatum, E. elegans, E. elongatum, E. ephedroides, E. eremicola, E. eremicum, E. ericifolium, E. esmeraldense, E. evanidum, E. exaltatum, E. exilifolium, E. fasciculatum, E. flavum, E. fusiforme, E. giganteum, E. gilmanii, E. glandulosum, E. gordonii, E. gossypinum, E. gracile, E. gracilipes, E. gracillimum, E. grande, E. greggii, E. gypsophilum, E. havardii, E. heermannii, E. helichrysoides, E. hemipterum, E. heracleoides, E. hieracifolium, E. hirtellum, E. hirtiflorum, E. hoffmannii, E. holmgrenii, E. hookeri, E. howellianum, E. hylophilum, E. incanum, E. inerme, E. inflatum, E. intrafractum, E. jamesii, E. jonesii, E. kelloggii, E. kennedyi, E. kingii, E. lachnogynum, E. lancifolium, E. latens, E. latifolium, E. lemmonii, E. leptocladon, E. leptophyllum, E. libertini, E. lobbii, E. loganum, E. lonchophyllum, E. longifolium, E. luteolum, E. maculatum, E. mancum, E. marifolium, E. mensicola, E. microthecum, E. mitophyllum, E. mohavense, E. molestum, E. mortonianum, E. multiflorum, E. natum, E. nealleyi, E. nervulosum, E. nidularium, E. niveum, E. nortonii, E. novonudum, E. nudum, E. nummulare, E. nutans, E. ochrocephalum, E. ordii, E. ostlundii, E. ovalifolium, E. palmerianum, E. panamintense, E. panguicense, E. parishii, E. parvifolium, E. pauciflorum, E. pelinophilum, E. pendulum, E. pharnaceoides, E. plumatella, E. polycladon, E. polypodum, E. prattenianum, E. prociduum, E. pulchrum, E. pusillum, E. pyrolifolium, E. racemosum, E. reniforme, E. ripleyi, E. rixfordii, E. robustum, E. rosense, E. roseum, E. rotundifolium, E. rubricaule, E. rupinum, E. salicornioides, E. saxatile, E. scabrellum, E. scopulorum, E. shockleyi, E. siskiyouense, E. smithii, E. soliceps, E. soredium, E. spathulatum, E. spectabile, E. spergulinum, E. sphaerocephalum, E. strictum, E. subreniforme, E. suffruticosum, E. temblorense, E. tenellum, E. ternatum, E. terrenatum, E. thomasii, E. thompsoniae, E. thornei, E. thurberi, E. thymoides, E. tiehmii, E. tomentosum, E. trichopes, E. tripodum, E. truncatum, E. tumulosum, E. twisselmannii, E. umbellatum, E. ursinum, E. vestitum, E. villiflorum, E. vimineum, E. viridescens, E. viridulum, E. viscidulum, E. visheri, E. watsonii, E. wetherillii, E. wootonii, E. wrightii, E. zionis
Subordinate taxa
E. wrightii var. membranaceum, E. wrightii var. nodosum, E. wrightii var. olanchense, E. wrightii var. subscaposum, E. wrightii var. trachygonum, E. wrightii var. wrightii
Synonyms E. trachygonum subsp. wrightii E. caespitosum subsp. acaule, E. caespitosum var. acaule
Name authority Torrey ex Bentham: in A. P. de Candolle and A. L. P. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 14: 15. (1856) Nuttall: Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 4: 13. (1848)
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