Eriogonum cedrorum
Encyclopedia
Eriogonum cedrorum is a rare species of wild buckwheat
known by the common name The Cedars buckwheat. It is endemic to Sonoma County, California
where it is known only from The Cedars, an unincorporated area outside of Guerneville
near Cazadero
.
and serpentine fleabane
. The habitat is a serpentine canyon surrounded by non-serpentine terrain and many rare serpentine-endemic plants are isolated within. Much of the flora is also adapted to alkaline conditions, growing among seep
s of mineral-rich waters that can have a pH
up to 11. This species of buckwheat was first collected in 1947 and described to science as a new species in 2009. It can be found in three locations with an estimated 1500 to 2000 individuals in existence.
and caudex
unit covered in rosettes of leaves each up to 1.5 centimeters long by 1 wide. The inflorescence
arises on an erect stem up to 8 centimeters. The inflorescence itself is a cluster of yellow flowers that quickly turn dark red. The stamen
s are tipped with yellow anthers.
Eriogonum
Eriogonum is the scientific name for a genus of flowering plants, in the family Polygonaceae. The genus is found in North America and is known as wild buckwheat. This is a highly species-rich genus, and indications are that active speciation is continuing...
known by the common name The Cedars buckwheat. It is endemic to Sonoma County, California
Sonoma County, California
Sonoma County, located on the northern coast of the U.S. state of California, is the largest and northernmost of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties. Its population at the 2010 census was 483,878. Its largest city and county seat is Santa Rosa....
where it is known only from The Cedars, an unincorporated area outside of Guerneville
Guerneville, California
Guerneville is a town in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, California, USA. A popular vacation destination for couples and families as well as corporate retreats and family and friend reunions, Guerneville is well-known for its natural beauty, laid-back attitude, friendly population, good...
near Cazadero
Cazadero, California
Cazadero is an unincorporated town and census-designated place in western Sonoma County, California, United States with a population of 354 as of the 2010 Census. Nearby towns include Jenner, Annapolis, Stewart's Point, Duncans Mills, Villa Grande, Rio Nido, Guerneville, Monte Rio, and The Sea Ranch...
.
Distribution
The Cedars is known for its botanical riches, including the endemic plant species Cedars fairy lanternCalochortus raichei
Calochortus raichei is a rare species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common name Cedars fairy-lantern, or Cedars mariposa lily. It is endemic to Sonoma County, California, where it is known only from The Cedars, an unincorporated area outside Guerneville near Cazadero...
and serpentine fleabane
Erigeron serpentinus
Erigeron serpentinus is a rare species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common names serpentine fleabane and serpentine daisy. It is endemic to Sonoma County, California, where it is known from three occurrences in and around The Cedars. There are an estimated 1100 individuals in...
. The habitat is a serpentine canyon surrounded by non-serpentine terrain and many rare serpentine-endemic plants are isolated within. Much of the flora is also adapted to alkaline conditions, growing among seep
Seep
A petroleum seep is a place where natural liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons escape to the earth's atmosphere and surface, normally under low pressure or flow. Seeps generally occur above either terrestrial or offshore petroleum accumulation structures...
s of mineral-rich waters that can have a pH
PH
In chemistry, pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Pure water is said to be neutral, with a pH close to 7.0 at . Solutions with a pH less than 7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline...
up to 11. This species of buckwheat was first collected in 1947 and described to science as a new species in 2009. It can be found in three locations with an estimated 1500 to 2000 individuals in existence.
Description
Eriogonum cedrorum is a mat-forming perennial herb growing up to half a meter wide with hairy or woolly herbage. It has a woody taprootTaproot
A taproot is an enlarged, somewhat straight to tapering plant root that grows vertically downward. It forms a center from which other roots sprout laterally.Plants with taproots are difficult to transplant...
and caudex
Caudex
A caudex is a form of stem morphology appearing as a thickened, short, perennial stem that is either underground or near ground level . It may be swollen for the purpose of water storage, especially in xerophytes...
unit covered in rosettes of leaves each up to 1.5 centimeters long by 1 wide. The inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
arises on an erect stem up to 8 centimeters. The inflorescence itself is a cluster of yellow flowers that quickly turn dark red. The stamen
Stamen
The stamen is the pollen producing reproductive organ of a flower...
s are tipped with yellow anthers.