Polygonaceae : Eriogonum flavum
Files
Download Seed: The triagular achene of yellow wild buckwheat is 4-5 mm long. (81 KB)
Download Seedling: Two month old yellow wild buckwheat seedling grown in research greenhouse at SDSU. (45 KB)
Download Mature plant (659 KB)
Download Vegetative: The wooley leaves of yellow wild buckwheat are 3-10 cm long. (665 KB)
Download Flowering: The flowers make up heads which are borne in an umbel. (416 KB)
Download Fruiting: The yellow buckwheat begins to fruit in late July. (88 KB)
Family Name
Polygonaceae
Common Name
Yellow wild buckwheat
Native American Name
Lakota: čhaŋȟlóǧaŋ hutkáŋ sapsápa šuŋgtȟáwote
Description
Eriogonum flavum is a perennial mat-forming herb from a thick, branched, woody caudex, usually having old leaf bases attached. The oblanceolate, petiolate, basal leaves are crowded, 3-8 cm long, 3-14 mm wide, green to grayish due to hairs on the upper surface and hairy beneath. The flowering stems are leafless, 4-25 cm tall, hairy, with leaf-like bracts subtending a compound umbel inflorescence, that have hairy rays up to 3 cm long. the cymose clusters of flowers are subtended by a few reduced bracts. The flowers have a campanulate involucre that is 4-6 mm long with shallow or lacking lobes. The perianth is 6-merous, 4-6 mm long, yellow to sometimes pink tinged, with hairs on the outside, narrowed to a short pedicel-like base. There are 9 stamens and 3 styles that are all exerted from the perianth. The fruit are elongated achenes with a tuft of hair at the top. Yellow wild buckwheat bloom from May into September on dry plains and ridges in western South Dakota.
Horticulture Notes
Seed Collection: Collect seed in September when the perianth is papery and the achenes become tan.
Germination: Fall sow or provide a 90-day cold, moist treatment before spring planting.
Soils: Well drained rocky, sandy, or clay soils.
Light: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium dry.
Additional Notes
Wild yellow buckwheat forms thick mats and has deep taproots that help stabilize dry slopes and make an outstanding addition to a rock garden or xeriscape. The flowers attract many species of bumblebees. This plant was a favorite of Claude Barr, the noted SD horticulturist.