Jointed buckwheat facts for kids

The Eriogonum intrafractum, also known as the jointed buckwheat or napkinring buckwheat, is a special kind of wild buckwheat plant. It's found only in a small area of California, specifically in the mountains around Death Valley. This plant is quite unique and grows in rocky areas with limestone soil.

About the Napkinring Buckwheat

The napkinring buckwheat is a unique plant that grows in a small area of California. It is an endemic plant, which means it naturally lives only in Inyo County, California. You can find it in the mountain ranges that surround Death Valley. This plant is not very common, but it's easy to spot because of its special look. It likes to grow in scattered groups on rocky ground, especially where there is limestone soil.

What It Looks Like

This plant starts with a cluster of soft, woolly leaves at its base. These leaves can grow up to about seven centimeters long. From this base, a straight, bare stem grows upwards.

The stem of the napkinring buckwheat is usually brown, reddish, or tan. It doesn't have many branches, or sometimes none at all. This stem is quite brittle, meaning it breaks easily. When it breaks, it forms hollow, thin pieces. These pieces look a lot like napkin rings, which is how the plant got its common name, the "napkinring buckwheat."

Its Flowers

Small groups of flowers grow along this stem. The stem itself is actually part of the plant's inflorescence, which is the way its flowers are arranged. These flower clusters are packed tightly with tiny flowers. The flowers can be either yellow or red.