Eriogonum cinereum ~ Ashy Leaf Buckwheat, Coastal Buckwheat

Eriogonum cinereum is a low spreading shrub native to the near coastal chaparral and bluffs of Southern California and into the desert. The gray leaves contrast excellently with the long lasting white aging to pink flowers and later with the cinnamon brown of the fading seed heads. It could be a near total commitment to keep the Ashy Leaf Buckwheat. Eriogonum cinereum will grow 2-3 feet tall, including the flowers, and somewhat wider. The Ashyleaf Buckwheat is widely tolerant of soil type, wild plants can be found in heavy soils as well as hanging onto a gap in the rocks on a cliff face. As with all buckwheat's the Coastal Buckwheat is a great butterfly nectar source. Plants are hardy to 15 degrees or below. Eriogonum cinereum is a great addition to the butterfly garden where it is a nectar source for the Acmon Blue, California Common Ringlet, Mormon Metalmark, Umber Skipper Butterfly, Northern White Skipper, the, Gray Hairstreak, Hedgerow Hairstreak, Great Purple Hairstreak, Common Buckeye and the Mournful Duskywing. Eriogonum cinereum is a host plant for the Western Tussock Moth Caterpillar, Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak.

Buckwheats in the Eriogonum genus featured on this site:
Eriogonum arborescens * Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat
Eriogonum cinereum * Ashyleaf Buckwheat, Coastal Buckweat
Eriogonum crocatum * Conejo Buckwheat, Saffron Buckweat
Eriogonum fasciculatum * California Buckwheat
Eriogonum fasciculatum Warriner Lytle * Warriner Lytle California Buckwheat
Eriogonum giganteum * Saint Catherine's Lace
Eriogonum grande rubescens * Red Buckwheat, Pink Buckwheat
Eriogonum incanum * Frosted Buckwheat
Eriogonum latifolium * Seaside Buckwheat, Coast Buckwheat
Eriogonum parviflorum * Sea Cliff Buckwheat, Coastal Buckwheat
Eriogonum umbellatum * Sulphur Buckwheat
Eriogonum wrightii * Bastardsage, Wright's Buckwheat