Inyo buckwheat facts for kids

Inyo buckwheat (scientific name: Eriogonum latens) is a type of wild buckwheat plant. It grows naturally in the western part of the Great Basin region. This area includes the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Inyo Mountains in California. It also grows in the White Mountains, which stretch a little bit into western Nevada.

This plant is not very common. It likes to grow in areas with sagebrush and woodlands in these mountains. It prefers sandy soils that come from granite rocks.

What it Looks Like

Inyo buckwheat is a perennial herb. This means it's a plant that lives for more than two years. It grows from a woody base called a caudex. From this base, it forms a cluster of rounded or oval green leaves. These leaves can be up to about 3 centimeters long and have short stalks called petioles.

The plant's flowers grow on a straight, bare stem that stands upright. This stem is called a scape. At the top of this stem, you'll find many whitish or yellowish flowers grouped together in a round cluster. This whole flower arrangement is known as an inflorescence.