Eriogonum spectabile

Shrubs, spreading, not scapose, 1–1.5 × 1.7–2.5 dm, densely tomentose, grayish. Stems spreading, without persistent leaf bases, up to 1/3 height of plant; caudex stems absent; aerial flowering stems erect, slender, solid, not fistulose, (0.15–)0.6.–1.3(–1.7) dm, tomentose. Leaves fasciculate at tips of branches; petiole (0.2–)0.6–0.9(–1.3) cm, tomentose; blade narrowly elliptic, (0.7–)1.2–1.7(–2.2) × (0.2–)0.4–0.7(–0.9) cm, tomentose on both surfaces, margins plane to revolute. Inflorescences umbellate, 2–10 × 2–9 cm; branches umbellate, tomentose; bracts 2–4(–6), semileaflike, narrowly oblong to narrowly elliptic, 2–5 × 1–2 mm. Peduncles erect, slender, (1.5–)2–8.5(–9.5) cm, tomentose to glabrate. Involucres 1 per node, broadly campanulate, 2–3 × (2–)3–4(–5) mm, tomentose and densely glandular abaxially; teeth 5–7, erect, 1–1.2 mm. Flowers 4–6 mm; perianth white, densely villous and glandular abaxially; tepals connate proximal 1/4, monomorphic, obovate; stamens included to exserted, 2.5–6.5 mm; filaments sparsely pilose proximally. Achenes light brown, 3–4 mm, villous.

Phenology: Flowering Jul–Sep.
Habitat: Gravelly soil, manzanita scrub and conifer woodlands
Elevation: 2000 m

Calif.

Discussion

Eriogonum spectabile is known only from a population of approximately 250 individuals north of Chester in the Lassen National Forest of Plumas County. The U.S. Forest Service considers it to be a “sensitive species,” and it is a candidate for possible state and federal protection.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa