Eriogonum smithii

Shrubs, erect to spreading, not scapose, (3–)4–10 × 5–20 dm, glabrous, bright green. Stems spreading, without persistent leaf bases, up to 1/3 height of plant; caudex stems absent; aerial flowering stems erect to spreading, slender, solid, not fistulose, 0.2–2 dm, glabrous. Leaves cauline on proximal 2/3 of stem, 1 per node; petiole 0.3–0.5 cm, floccose or glabrous; blade narrowly elliptic, 2.5–4.5 × (0.3–)0.6–1 cm, glabrous and green on both surfaces, rarely thinly floccose adaxially, margins occasionally slightly revolute. Inflorescences cymose, open to compact, 2–25 × 3–35 cm; branches often with involucres racemosely arranged at tips of inflorescence, glabrous; bracts 3, scalelike, linear to triangular, 1.5–4.5 mm. Peduncles absent. Involucres 1 per node, turbinate, (2.5–)3–3.5 × 2–2.5 mm, glabrous; teeth 5, erect, 0.3–0.5 mm. Flowers 3–4 mm; perianth yellow, glabrous; tepals connate proximal 1/4, slightly dimorphic, those of outer whorl obovate, 1.5–2 mm wide, those of inner whorl oblanceolate, 1–1.5 mm wide; stamens exserted, 2–5(–7) mm; filaments pilose proximally. Achenes brown, 3–3.5 mm, glabrous except for minutely papillate beak. 2n = 40.

Phenology: Flowering Jul–Oct.
Habitat: Deep, moving, red blow sand, mixed grassland and scrub oak communities
Elevation: 1400-1900 m

Utah.

Discussion

Of conservation concern.

Eriogonum smithii is restricted to the San Rafael Desert of Emery and Wayne counties. Plants from Little Gilson Butte (J. L. Anderson 86-228, BRY) have leaf blades thinly floccose on the abaxial surface but are otherwise similar to the shrubs found at Flat Top to the east. Smith’s wild buckwheat occurs in selenium-rich sands, which may limit its ability to be cultivated. The bright green, brilliantly yellow-flowered plants would make an elegant addition to the garden.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa