1. Coast (Dune/Sea-cliff) Buckwheat – Eriogonum parvifolium
(air-ee-OG-oh-num par-vi-FOE-lee-um)
Family: Polygonaceae (Buckwheat family)
Native to: California coast from Monterey to San Diego; Coastal strand/prairie, back-dunes, Coastal
Sage Scrub, Chaparral and southern oak woodlands.
woody shrub
mature height: 1-3 ft.
mature width: 2-4 ft.
Low, spreading perennial shrub with loose, slender, bending branches. Leaves are small, rolled with
water deprivation. Loses leaves in drought (drought-deciduous).
Growth characteristics:
Blooms/fruits: blooms throughout year, but summer is main bloom period.
small, pink-crème, in dense balls at top of plant.
Showy flowers are
Red-brown fruits remain on plants and are showy.
Uses in the garden: As tall groundcover or shrub. Particularly good on hillsides, seaside conditions.
Good for erosion control. Key habitat plant for local butterflies, including El Segudo Blue.
Use with Ashyleaf Buckwheat in coastal gardens, sandy soils.
Showy.
Sensible substitute for: non-native buckwheats; other medium-sized shrubs
Attracts: very important local butterfly plant (larval food – El Segundo Blue butterfly) . All parts of
plant are used by small animals. Birds eat seeds.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to full shade
Well-drained soils best – can tolerate clays with little summer water; any pH is fine
Very drought tolerant once established. No/little summer water needed, but can
give occasional water to retain leaves.
None needed
Tolerates salty & alkali soils, seaside conditions
Little needed. Prune to shape and remove dead branches. Can remove old seed
heads or retain for birds. Will reseed on bare ground. Cut back if raggedy
Management:
from seed:
collect ripe (tan) seed in late summer. Plant fresh seed in fall in
prepared beds or in fall/spring in pots. Fairly easy.
by cuttings: semi-softwood with heel in late
summer/early fall
Propagation:
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-3, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 20, 24, 25
11/29/10
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