Eriogonum ovalifolium

Cushion Buckwheat

Cushion Buckwheat
aka Oval-leaved Eriogonum. The creamy yellow flowers form a single round umbel about 1″ in diameter atop stems which rise to 1.5″ – 6″ (3 – 15 cm). The stems are unbranched and have no leaves. The leaf blades are ovate to round, or spatula-shaped, and are silver-wooly to greenish. Uncommon in the Park and the plant found here on Crystal Peak does not display the dense leaf cushion of silvery leaves expected possibly suggesting a false identification. Found on rocky slopes at between 5,000′ to 8,000′ elevation.

Family:

Polygonaceae - BUCKWHEAT FAMILY

Genus:

Eriogonum from Greek erion 'wool' and gony 'knee'

Species:

ovalifolium means 'oval-leaf'
Photo location: Near Crystal Peak and Slide Mountain