Bastardsage
Eriogonum wrightii
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © zabbey (iNaturalist #1891153)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Polygonaceae
- Genus:
- Eriogonum
- Species:
- Eriogonum wrightii
- USDA Symbol:
- ERWR
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
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
Dotted Blue (Euphilotes enoptes), Dusky Green Hairstreak (Callophrys dumetorum), 🛑Neurona Blue (Plebejus neurona), Rita Blue (Euphilotes rita)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii) Butterflies:Dotted Blue (Euphilotes enoptes), Icaricia neurona
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 low-severity fire; common in fire-prone chaparral and pinyon-juniper habitats.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 4-8 weeks; sow on surface of well-drained medium.