Arrowleaf Buckwheat
Eriogonum compositum
- Native to:
- United States
iNaturalist: © carlson_ea (iNaturalist #44304658)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Polygonaceae
- Genus:
- Eriogonum
- Species:
- Eriogonum compositum
- USDA Symbol:
- ERCO12
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 50 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white, yellow, cream
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Aroga eriogonella, Synanthedon polygoni, Acmon blue (Plebejus acmon), Chalceria heteronea, Dotted Blue (Euphilotes enoptes), Dusky Green Hairstreak (Callophrys dumetorum), Sheridan's green hairstreak (Callophrys sheridanii)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Euphilotes columbiae
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from deep taproot following fire. Common in fire-prone shrub-steppe and rocky habitats.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- typically found in open, sunny areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Cold stratification improves germination rates significantly.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are soaked in a 1% hydrogen peroxide solution for 24 hours, rinsed, and soaked in water for an additional 24 hours. They are then placed in fine mesh bags and layered in peat in a covered container, which is refrigerated at 1 to 3 °C for 60 days. Seeds should be checked weekly and treated with 1% hydrogen peroxide if mold is evident.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.