Douglas' buckwheat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Douglas' buckwheat |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eriogonum
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| Species: |
douglasii
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Eriogonum douglasii is a type of wild buckwheat plant. It's often called Douglas' buckwheat. This plant grows naturally in the western United States, including the Pacific Northwest and parts of the Great Basin.
Contents
What Does Douglas' Buckwheat Look Like?
This plant forms a low, mat-like shape on the ground. It has many hairy leaves and stems growing from a thick, woody base called a caudex.
Leaves and Stems
The leaves grow in groups called rosettes. They are shaped like a spear or an oval. Each leaf blade is about 0.4 to 2 centimeters long. The leaves feel like felt because they are covered in soft, woolly hairs.
Flowers
The flowers grow on a strong, straight stem that can be up to 15 centimeters tall. This stem has a ring of leaf-like parts called bracts in the middle. The flowers grow in a cluster at the top of the stem. They can be cream, yellowish, or even rose-pink in color. You can see their stamens (the parts that hold pollen) sticking out.
Where Does Douglas' Buckwheat Grow?
Douglas' buckwheat likes to grow in several different types of places. You can find it in open grasslands, areas with sagebrush, woodlands, and even in pine forests. It's a tough plant that can adapt to different environments in the western United States.
Different Kinds of Douglas' Buckwheat
There are three main types, or varieties, of Douglas' buckwheat. These include the common varieties called douglasii and meridionale.
The Rare Sunflower Flat Wild Buckwheat
One special type is very rare. It's called var. elkoense, or Sunflower Flat wild buckwheat. This variety is endemic, which means it only grows naturally in one specific place. For this plant, that place is Elko County, Nevada.
