Smith's Buckwheat
Courtesy Utah Rare Plant Program; Courtesy of Utah Rare Plant Program; Courtesy of Utah Rare Plant Program; Courtesy of Utah Rare Plant Program; Photo Courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Eriogonum smithii
Other common names: Smith Wild Buckwheat
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G2
State (S-rank): S2
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Eriogonum smithii is endemic to San Rafael Desert along the boundary of Emery and Wayne Counties, Utah. Smith's Buckwheat (or Flat Top buckwheat) can be found among purple-sage, matchweed, ephedra-Indian rice grass, and rabbitbrush communities on stabilized dunes at 5200 to 5610 feet elevation.
Description
Eriogonum smithii is a shrub, 5-20 dm tall, the plant is bright green and glabrous. The leaves are cauline on the proximal 2/3 of the stem, glabrous and green on both sides, sometimes thinly floccose adaxially. The inflorescence is open to com
Phenology
Flowers from July to October
Diagnostic characteristics
This species stands out from most other species of Eriogonum by being completely glabrous
Species range
Plants found in the San Rafael Desert of Emery and Wayne Counties, Utah.
Map
Threats or limiting factors
Threats include smothering by destabilized sand dunes, mining, grazing, recreation, and drought.
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies