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| California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) in foreground |
The
buckwheats (genus Eriogonum) are
among the most important summer-flowering plants in S. California gardens. In a typical year, the period from May
through October is replete with their beauty.
Beginning with the California, Conejo and Red buckwheats, transitioning
into the giant St. Catherine’s lace and ending with the Coastal/dune and
Ashy-leaf buckwheats, the Eriogonums
span the seasons with floral, seed and foliage color. Our hot dry winter and spring have confused
many plants this year. But true to form,
California buckwheat is a standout in our June floral display.
California
buckwheat has a wide geographic distribution compared to other local buckwheats.
It grows from California, Utah and Arizona in the north to northern
Mexico and Baja California, Mexico, in the south. There are at least four recognized varieties. Two of them (varieties fasciculatum and foliolosum)
are native to western Los Angeles County, including the Palos Verdes
peninsula and the lowland areas of the old El Segundo dunes (coastal area from
El Segundo south to the Palos Verdes peninsula).
The
species grows in a number of plant communities including Chaparral, Coastal
Scrub, Coastal Areas, Desert Chaparral,
Oak and other Woodlands and Grasslands.
Locally it is found in Coastal Sage Scrub, Coastal Shrubland and Back
Dune/Coastal Prairie communities. Variety fasciculatum grows primarily
below 1200 ft. elevation, while variety foliolosum will sometimes be found as high as
5000 ft. elevation. Both grow in hot,
dry locations with well-drained soils, often on open slopes, mesas and
bluffs. It’s not surprising that
California buckwheat is a tough, hardy survivor.
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| Eriogonum fasciculatum growth habit - Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden Claremont, CA |
Like
many of our local perennial buckwheats,
Eriogonum fasciculatum is a mounded sub-shrub with a woody
base and more herbaceous new growth.
Variety fasciculatum, which is typical of coastal
sub-shrubs, is more likely to be low-growing – even decumbent (lying on the
ground) - particularly along the coast.
Variety foliolosum is more upright and mounded. Both have numerous, rather thin branches and
dense growth. Mature plants are 3-5 ft
tall and wide, but may spread to 6-7+ feet wide in the garden. Plants have a moderate growth rate and are
among the longer-lived native shrubs.
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| Leaves, California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) |
The
leaves of Eriogonum fasciculatum give California buckwheat its
name. They are clustered in dense bundles
(fascicles) along the stems. As is
common for the genus, California buckwheat’s leaves roll under in the dry
months. In this species, the leaves
become very tightly rolled, giving them an almost needle-like appearance. The
leaves are small (3/4 inch or less), dark- to gray-green above, lighter and
hairy beneath. Plants are evergreen
except in the severest of droughts.
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| Flowers, California buckwheat: Madrona Marsh Native Plant Gardens, Torrance CA |
Native
buckwheats are amongst the prettiest of flowering plants and California
buckwheat is a real prize winner. The
plants are massed with flowers from late spring through mid-summer. While individual flowers are small (see
below), they form dense terminal clusters that can nearly cover the
foliage. California buckwheat’s flowers
range from white to pale pink. The
flowers are in parts of six and the stamens (pollen producing organs) extend
beyond the perianth, giving flower clusters a fuzzy appearance.
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| Flowers: California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) |
California
buckwheat is an important pollinator plant.
On a warm summer day, plants are alive with insects ranging in size from
butterflies to tiny native bees.
Buckwheats are probably our best all-round summer pollinator
plants. They attract the entire range of
pollinator insects: butterflies, European honey bees (honey is delicious!),
native bees of all sizes, pollinator flies, beetles and many others. Plant a native buckwheat if you’re concerned
about the health and welfare of our pollinators.
If
you’ve only space for one native habitat plant, let it be a buckwheat. Native buckwheats are long-blooming,
supplying thousands of flowers at a time.
The flowers produce high quality nectar and pollen, so they attract both
pollen- and nectar-seeking insects. Many
of them are larval (caterpillar) food sources for native butterflies. For example, California buckwheat provides
larval food for Mormon Metalmark, Bernardino Blue and Bramble, Common and Avalon
Hairstreak butterflies. Rabbits and some
birds (quails) eat the flowers and foliage. Birds and small creatures take
cover under the dense, shady foliage.
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| California buckwheat flowers, seeds |
As
if that’s not enough, the Buckwheats also produce small, tasty seeds. On a fall day, it’s not uncommon to spot a
group of seed-eating birds on/near a garden buckwheat, busily partaking of the
feast. Among those you may encounter are
the finches, Dark-eyed juncos and Brown towhees. Many gardeners let their buckwheats go to seed
simply to attract the seed-eaters. But
that’s not the only reason to hold back on deadheading your buckwheats.
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| California buckwheat through the seasons. Plant is the shrub just behind the right side of the arbor |
Buckwheats
help us celebrate the cycle of seasons.
Their fresh new growth indicates the height of the growth season; their
flowers the end of growth and beginning of the dry season. And their dried flowers and seeds – with
their lovely rust and brown tones - signal the end of the dry season. The
color palette of the buckwheats is an inspiration to artists and garden
designers alike. But the yearly cycle of
the buckwheats – unchanging, unhurried and rhythmic – connects us to the earth
and our S. California natural heritage. Priceless!
California
buckwheat prefers full sun but will take some afternoon shade. While it likes a well-drained soil, it can be
grown in any local soil from sandy to clay.
If you have a clay soil, consider planting buckwheats on a small berm
and be careful not to over-water in summer.
Eriogonum fasciculatum and most other locally native buckwheats do well
in alkali soils, which don’t bother them in the least. If you use an organic mulch, go lightly. We recommend starting with a 2” layer at
planting time, then letting the mulch degrade naturally, without replenishment. Once this buckwheat gets going, you won’t
need mulch to control the weeds! For
more on mulches see: Understanding
Mulches - http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2012/07/understanding-mulches_23.html.
Watering
California buckwheat requires an understanding of the plant’s survival
mechanisms. This plant has a long
taproot, allowing it to access deeper soil water. It also has shallower, fibrous roots. It needs good winter/spring water. In fact, in a dry year like this, we watered
our buckwheats deeply about once a month to supplement the rainfall. The dry season is a bit more challenging. Some buckwheats, for example Eriogonum parvifolium, are very
sensitive and do best with very occasional or no summer water. California buckwheat – and particularly the
cultivars – are more forgiving. They look good with occasional summer water –
perhaps several times in a summer in western Southern California.
Buckwheats
are fairly carefree garden plants. They have
few pests and diseases and are generally hardy plants. Local gardeners cut this species back in late
fall to promote plant health. This
cutting back should begin in the first years of life or the plants will become
too woody. Woody old plants should be
replaced – with a pledge to prune the replacement properly and regularly. Cut plants back to 4-6 inches above the woody
part of the stem. That’s about all it
takes.
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| Eriogonum fasciculatum in garden. It is the shrub with masses of pale pink blooms behind the bright pink Red buckwheat |
California
buckwheat is a staple in habitat gardens.
It is often used mid-bed with smaller plants in front of it and can be
used as a mid-sized ground cover. It
works well on dry slopes and in areas that are difficult to water. It complements native Salvias in foliage and
flowering. California buckwheat is
planted in rock gardens and can easily be included in gardens featuring
water-wise Mediterranean herbs like Rosemary and Lavender. Once in place, try not to move it – the long
taproot makes it difficult to move successfully.
One
word of caution: this plant is best planted within its natural range. It has escaped cultivation and is becoming a
weedy non-native in some areas of
Northern California, Oregon, Arizona and Texas.
Be a responsible gardener, particularly if you live near wild areas;
plant the species and varieties that are native to your area.
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| Eriogonum fasciculatum 'Dana point' |
There
are several cultivars that are widely available. ‘Dana Point’ is a lovely mounded cultivar
that does very well in local gardens. It
grows to about 2 1/w ft. tall and spreads to 5+ feet wide. We have this cultivar in Mother Nature’s
Backyard. It draws raves every year.
Cultivar
'Warriner Lytle' is lower growing – usually
less than 2 feet – with dark green leaves and somewhat resembling a prostrate
Rosemary. It makes a good groundcover and
would do well on hot slopes. ‘Theodore
Payne’ buckwheat is even shorter (1 ft.) and is also recommended as a ground
cover.
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| Eriogonum fasciculatum 'Theodore Payne' |
California
buckwheat is used medicinally where ever it grows. Native Californians and other Native Peoples use
it primarily to treat headaches, stomach problems, diarrhea and wounds. Both the leaves and roots are used, fresh and
dried. For colds, coughs and sore
throats and pre-menstrual bloating a mild tea is prepared. A stronger decoction from roots was traditionally
used for diarrhea, stomach troubles and to ‘clean the system’. A strong tea from the leaves is reported to
cure headaches and a decoction from young flowers is used as an eyewash. A poultice made from dried roots or fresh
leaves and flowers was formerly applied to wounds. For medicinal uses, older established plants
are reported to be more efficacious. The small seeds and young shoots are
edible. The leaves were traditionally
used to line granaries to keep acorns dry.
In
summary, California buckwheat is an extremely useful shrub. It is excellent for habitat, requires little
care and is a great addition to water-wise gardens where ever it grows
naturally.
For a
gardening information sheet see: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/gardening-sheet-eriogonum-fasciculatum
For more
pictures of this plant see: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/eriogonum-fasciculatum-web-show
We
welcome your comments (below). You can
also send your questions to: mothernaturesbackyard10@gmail.com
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