The Real Dirt

This final discussion of Eriogonum, or wild buckwheat, examines three beauties that are grown at the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden at Patrick Ranch: E. nudum; E. umbellatum; and E. grande var. rubescens (previous articles in this series have looked at E. giganteum and E. fasciculatum).

Continuing our focus on select species of Eriogonum (wild buckwheat), this week's discussion features California buckwheat (E. fasciculatum). First, here is a quick review of characteristics common to all of California's wild buckwheats.

An astounding number of species populate the wild buckwheat genus Eriogonum - over 250, according to the CALFLORA website. And, due to their propensity to hybridize, active speciation continues as we speak. There are species for almost every letter of the alphabet, from A (E. abertianum) to Z (E.

California is host to almost 7000 species of native plants, more than any other state. About 40% of those species are found only in California. In fact, California is more species-rich than most other places on Earth.

Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) is a common sight throughout our hot dry Butte County summers. It is also considered to be one of the world's most noxious perennial weeds.