Eriogonum pyrolifolium
Encyclopedia
Eriogonum pyrolifolium (Shasta Buckwheat, Pyrola-leafed Buckwheat, Alpine Buckwheat, Alpine Eriogonum, Oarleaf Buckwheat, or Dirty Socks) is a species of wild buckwheat
. It is native to western North America, from British Columbia
to the high mountains of California
.
. Its rounded or spade-shaped, woolly, petioled
leaves are located at the base of the plant; their resemblance to the leaves of wintergreens (genus Pyrola
) gives the species its name.
Clusters of flowers appear on stalks which may be erect or bend to the ground. The small hairy flowers are greenish-white or white to pink. At certain times during growth and blossoming this plant will emit an odor similar to sweaty, unwashed socks.
Eriogonum
Eriogonum is the scientific name for a genus of flowering plants, in the family Polygonaceae. The genus is found in North America and is known as wild buckwheat. This is a highly species-rich genus, and indications are that active speciation is continuing...
. It is native to western North America, from British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
to the high mountains of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Description
This is a small woody perennial reaching a maximum height and width of about 20 centimeters, including its inflorescenceInflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
. Its rounded or spade-shaped, woolly, petioled
Petiole (botany)
In botany, the petiole is the stalk attaching the leaf blade to the stem. The petiole usually has the same internal structure as the stem. Outgrowths appearing on each side of the petiole are called stipules. Leaves lacking a petiole are called sessile, or clasping when they partly surround the...
leaves are located at the base of the plant; their resemblance to the leaves of wintergreens (genus Pyrola
Pyrola
Pyrola is a genus of evergreen herbaceous plants in the family Ericaceae. Under the old Cronquist system it was placed in its own family Pyrolaceae, but genetic research showed it belonged in the family Ericaceae. The species are commonly known as wintergreen, a name shared with several other...
) gives the species its name.
Clusters of flowers appear on stalks which may be erect or bend to the ground. The small hairy flowers are greenish-white or white to pink. At certain times during growth and blossoming this plant will emit an odor similar to sweaty, unwashed socks.