Taxon Report

Johanneshowellia puberula (S. Watson) Reveal

downy buckwheat

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Taxon Summary

Johanneshowellia puberula, commonly known as downy buckwheat, is a annual herb in the Polygonaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Pinyon and juniper woodland (carbonate, and sandy or gravelly), growing at elevations from 1300 to 2900 meters. Johanneshowellia puberula is ranked 2B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Johanneshowellia puberula (S. Watson) Reveal
Common Name:
 downy buckwheat
Family: Polygonaceae
Element Code: PDPGN084X0
USDA Plants Symbol: JOPU
Synonyms/Other Names:
  • Eriogonum puberulum

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: May-Sep May-Sep
Elevation: 1300-2900 (4265-9515)
General Habitats: Pinyon and juniper woodland
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 2B.3
Global Rank: G4?
State Rank:
 S1
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:
  • changed from 2.3 to 2B.3 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 2
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 2

Location
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Inyo (INY)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Tin Mountain (3611784), White Top Mtn. (3611774)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 0
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
0 %

 

Notes
Known in CA from only two occurrences in the Cottonwood Mtns. See Phytologia 66(4):383 (1989) for taxonomic treatment.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 5 February 2025].