Description
Perhaps the most familiar of the wild buckwheat species, sulphur flower buckwheat grows abundantly in hot, dry, open, and rocky places from low to high elevation throughout the western United States. Due in part to its large distribution, sulphur flower buckwheat is extremely variable, and sometimes hard to identify because the different varieties can look very different from one another. There are 25 varieties of sulphur flower buckwheat in California alone. In the Klamath-Siskiyou there are at least 15 separate varieties that vary in shape and form. The typical specimen has rounded, mounding, and low-growing evergreen foliage with bright yellow flower clusters. Sulphur buckwheat is drought tolerant. The flowers are prized by numerous native pollinators, including native bees, pollinating flies, beetles, butterflies and wasps. Wild buckwheats, in general are used by many species of butterfly as larval host plants. Perfect for a sunny, dry location or large rock garden.
Sulphur flower buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum) seed packets contain approximately 135 seeds per packet.
Seed Germination Instructions
60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Learn more in our detailed guide to growing wild buckwheat from seed by clicking on the link below:
