Scientific Name | Eriogonum alatum var. alatum | USDA PLANTS Symbol | ERALA2 |
Common Name | Winged Buckwheat | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 195419 |
Family | Polygonaceae (Buckwheat) | SEINet Reference |
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Description |
Life zones and habitat: Plains to subalpine (3500 to 10500); sandy or gravelly soils in grasslands, brushlands, and open areas in woodlands. Plant: Erect perennial with single, almost leafless stem 20 to 50 inches tall. Leaves: Mostly basal, but sometimes stem leaves, narrowly-oblanceolate to linear-oblanceolate, 2 to 8 inches long, hairy surfaces. Inflorescence: Tall panicle 8 to many inches high, with hairy branches, leaf-like and scale-like bracts and clusters of small flowers on peduncles up to an inch long; each blossom with six yellow to yellow-green tepals, often reddish or maroon in fruit, and 9 stamens with cream-colored anthers. Fruit: Hanging, light green capsule, becoming brown, with three thin, whitish wings along the edges. Bloom Period: June to August. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, American Southwest, Flora of North America and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains