Naked Buckwheat
Eriogonum nudum
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © gina-genduso (iNaturalist #142953083)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Polygonaceae
- Genus:
- Eriogonum
- Species:
- Eriogonum nudum
- USDA Symbol:
- ERNU3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink, yellow
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
Acmon blue (Plebejus acmon), Chalceria heteronea, Dotted Blue (Euphilotes enoptes), Dusky Green Hairstreak (Callophrys dumetorum), Gaeides gorgon, Lembert's hairstreak (Callophrys lemberti), Mojave Blue (Euphilotes mojave), ⚠️Mormon metalmark (Apodemia mormo), 🛑Neurona Blue (Plebejus neurona), Square-spotted blue (Euphilotes battoides)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Butterflies:Dotted Blue (Euphilotes enoptes), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Icaricia acmon, Tharsalea gorgon, Tharsalea heteronea
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown after fire; seeds germinate well on disturbed soil.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Thrives in open, rocky areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 30-60 days to improve germination.
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: Seed may be collected from individual plants over an extended flowering and fruiting period from around late July through late September. The plant is abundant in dry open places below 3,800 meters.
Source: npn.rngr.net