Taxon Report

Eriogonum alexanderae (Reveal) Grady & Reveal

Alexander's buckwheat

Print Report


Taxon Summary

Eriogonum alexanderae, commonly known as Alexander's buckwheat, is a perennial herb in the Polygonaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Great Basin scrub, and Pinyon and juniper woodland, growing at elevations from 2895 to 2895 meters. Eriogonum alexanderae is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Eriogonum alexanderae (Reveal) Grady & Reveal
Common Name:
Alexander's buckwheat
Family: Polygonaceae
Element Code: PDPGN084C5
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:
  • Eriogonum ochrocephalum var. alexanderae

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: May-Jul May-Jul
Elevation: 2895-2895 (9500-9500)
General Habitats: Great Basin scrub, Pinyon and juniper woodland
Microhabitat: Gravelly (sometimes), Shale (sometimes)
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status

CA Rare Plant Rank: 1B.1
Global Rank: G5T3?
State Rank:
S1
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status: BLM_S; SB_CalBG/RSABG
CRPR Changes:
  • changed from 2.2 to 1B.1 on 2011-11-29

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 1
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 1
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Mono (MNO)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Bodie (3811921)

Notes

Previously on List 2.2 as E. ochrocephalum var. alexanderae; see this name in TJM (1993). Known in CA from only between Potato Pk. and Bodie Mtn., where not seen since 1967; field surveys needed. Potentially threatened by gold mining. Not in TJM 2 and treated as a synonym of E. crosbyae in FNA Vol. 5, which does not occur in CA. See Great Basin Naturalist 45:276 (1985) for original description, and Phytologia 66(4):295-321 (1989) and 24:33-38 (2011) for taxonomic treatments.
Threats:
Taxonomy:
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 15 October 2025].