Spurry Buckwheat: A Rare California Native Worth Knowing About
If you’re passionate about native plants and love discovering the hidden gems of California’s flora, you might be intrigued by spurry buckwheat (Eriogonum spergulinum var. pratense). This little-known annual is part of the diverse buckwheat family that calls the Golden State home, though it’s not one you’ll easily find at your local nursery.
What Is Spurry Buckwheat?
Spurry buckwheat is an annual forb, which simply means it’s a soft-stemmed, herbaceous plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. Unlike its woody shrub relatives in the Eriogonum family, this variety lacks significant woody tissue and puts all its energy into growing, flowering, and setting seed within a single year.
As a member of the buckwheat family, it’s a true California native, having evolved alongside the state’s unique ecosystems and wildlife over thousands of years.
Where Does It Grow?
This particular variety of spurry buckwheat is found exclusively in California, making it a true Golden State endemic. Its distribution within the state appears to be quite limited, which brings us to an important consideration for any gardener interested in this plant.
A Word About Rarity
Here’s where things get interesting – and a bit concerning. Spurry buckwheat has a Global Conservation Status of S4T3, indicating that this variety faces some level of conservation concern. This rarity status means that while you might be tempted to grow this unique native, it’s crucial to approach it responsibly.
If you’re determined to include this plant in your garden, make absolutely sure you source seeds or plants only from reputable suppliers who can guarantee the material was ethically and sustainably collected. Never collect seeds or plants from wild populations, as this could further threaten already vulnerable populations.
Should You Grow Spurry Buckwheat?
The honest answer? Probably not, unless you’re a serious native plant conservationist with specific expertise. Here’s why:
- Limited availability makes it difficult to source responsibly
- Its rarity status suggests it has specific habitat requirements that may be hard to replicate
- As an annual, it requires yearly establishment
- Very little is known about its specific cultivation requirements
Better Alternatives for Your Native Garden
Instead of spurry buckwheat, consider these more readily available California native buckwheats that can provide similar ecological benefits:
- California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) – a reliable shrub perfect for dry gardens
- St. Catherine’s lace (Eriogonum giganteum) – stunning white flower clusters
- Sulfur flower (Eriogonum umbellatum) – bright yellow blooms and excellent for pollinators
The Bigger Picture
While spurry buckwheat might not be the right choice for most home gardens, learning about plants like this reminds us of the incredible diversity hidden within California’s native flora. Many of these lesser-known species play crucial roles in their ecosystems, even if we don’t fully understand all their relationships and requirements yet.
By choosing well-studied, readily available native plants for our gardens, we can still support local ecosystems while leaving the rare species to conservation professionals and specialized botanical institutions that have the expertise to protect and study them properly.
Sometimes the best way to love a plant is to admire it from afar and let the experts handle its conservation!
