Proliferous wild buckwheat

Eriogonum proliferum Torrey & A. Gray, Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 8: 164. 1870; E. fulvum S. Stokes; E. strictum var. argenteum S. Stokes; E. strictum subsp. bellum (S. Stokes) S. Stokes; E. strictum subsp. proliferum (Torrey & A. Gray) S. Stokes

Plants loose mats, 2-4 dm wide. Leaf blades broadly elliptic to ovate, 1-3 cm, grayish-tomentose to floccose on both surfaces, sometimes greenish-tomentose to floccose and greenish adaxially. Inflorescences 5-15 cm; branches tomentose to floccose. Involucres 4-6 × 2-4 mm, tomentose. Flowers 3-5 mm; perianth white to rose or purple.

Flowering Jun-Sep. Sandy to gravelly flats and slopes, sagebrush communities, montane conifer woodlands; (100-)400-2700 m; Calif., Idaho, Mont., Nev., Oreg., Wash.

Variety proliferum is widespread and often rather common throughout its range. The largest concentration is found in a gentle arc from northeastern Washington to southern Idaho and western Montana. The variety is widely distributed also in central and eastern Oregon, northern California, and Nevada. In portions of central Idaho and western Montana, some individuals clearly approach Eriogonum ovalifolium var. pansum.