Eriogonum ovalifolium var. eximium
Mentzelia 1: 19. 1976.
Plants 1–3 dm wide. Leaf blades elliptic or spatulate to oval, (0.3–)0.5–1.5(–2) cm, usually densely lanate, margins brownish. Scapes erect, 1–5(–7.5) cm, tomentose. Inflorescences capitate, 1–2.5 cm wide; branches absent. Involucres 3–10 per cluster, 4–5(–6.5) mm. Flowers 4–5 mm; perianth white.
Phenology: Flowering Jun–Sep.
Habitat: Granitic sandy or gravelly to rocky or even talus slopes, sagebrush communities, montane conifer woodlands
Elevation: 1700-2500 m
Discussion
Variety eximium is known only from the Carson Range in Carson City, Douglas, and Washoe counties, Nevada, and from the Job’s Peak area of Alpine County, California. The Slide Mountain wild buckwheat morphologically approaches higher-elevation populations of var. nivale in the Carson Range, and the edaphically restricted var. williamsiae from Steamboat Springs. In addition, there is a series of populations in Siskiyou County, California, which approaches var. eximium. At this time, a definite disposition of those northern California populations has not been made. On infrequent occasions, the distinct brown leaf-blade margins are absent from individuals within an otherwise normal population. The variety is an ideal rock-garden plant, although it is slow to grow to the size seen in the field.
Selected References
None.