Eriogonum parvifolium facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eriogonum parvifolium |
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Eriogonum
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parvifolium
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The dune buckwheat (also called coast buckwheat, cliff buckwheat, or seacliff buckwheat) is a special plant. Its scientific name is Eriogonum parvifolium. It belongs to the Polygonaceae family. This plant is found along the coast of Central and Southern California.
This plant is an evergreen shrub. This means it stays green all year round. It usually grows to be about 30 to 100 centimeters tall. It also spreads out about the same amount. The dune buckwheat is very important for many pollinating insects. Some of these insects are even endangered species. You can find this shrub on bluffs and Coastal Strand sand dunes along the Pacific Ocean. It usually grows below 700 meters in height.
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What Does the Dune Buckwheat Look Like?
The leaves of the dune buckwheat are thick. They can be from five to thirty millimeters long. Their shape can be long and narrow (like a spear tip) or more rounded. Sometimes, the leaves are folded under. This makes them look a bit like a triangle. The top of the leaves is smooth. The bottom is fuzzy, like wool.
The leaves are green. They often have a reddish color mixed in. The flowers can be white, pinkish, or yellowish-green. Each flower is quite small, about 2.5 to 3.0 millimeters across. The fruits of this plant are also small. They are smooth and measure about 2.5 to 3.0 millimeters.
Where Does the Dune Buckwheat Grow?
Dune buckwheat likes to grow in sandy soils. These soils can be slightly acidic or slightly alkaline. This means their pH can range from five to eight. If people grow this plant in gardens, it can even live in clay soils.
This shrub grows best in sunny places. It can handle some shade if it's being grown by people. Deer usually do not eat this plant. However, many smaller animals like to eat its flowers, fruits, and leaves. The dune buckwheat thrives in areas that get about 39 to 78 centimeters of rain each year.
Why Is the Dune Buckwheat Important?
The dune buckwheat is a "host plant" for many different insects. This means many insects rely on it for food and shelter. Because of this, there is a lot of competition among insects for this plant.
It is a host plant for ten different types of butterflies and moths (called Lepidoptera). This includes the El Segundo blue butterfly and Smith's blue butterfly. For the El Segundo blue butterfly, the dune buckwheat is the ONLY plant it uses. This butterfly needs the dune buckwheat for its entire life.
Protecting the Dune Buckwheat
Because the dune buckwheat is so important to many insect species, people are working to protect it. Many programs are trying to restore areas where this plant grows. One big program is at the Los Angeles International Airport. This airport is home to one of only three places where the endangered El Segundo blue butterfly still lives. Protecting the dune buckwheat helps protect these special butterflies.
