Kingdom Plantae Family Polygonaceae Scientific name Eriogonum pyrolifolium Rank Species | Order Caryophyllales Genus Eriogonum Higher classification Eriogonum | |
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Similar Eriogonum, Eriogonum diclinum, Polygonaceae, Eriogonum strictum, Eriogonum elatum | ||
Eriogonum pyrolifolium (Shasta buckwheat, pyrola-leafed buckwheat, alpine buckwheat, alpine eriogonum, oarleaf buckwheat, or dirty socks) is a species of wild buckwheat. It is native to western North America, from British Columbia to the high mountains of California.
Description
This is a small woody perennial reaching a maximum height and width of about 20 centimeters, including its inflorescence. Its rounded or spade-shaped, woolly, petioled leaves are located at the base of the plant; their resemblance to the leaves of wintergreens (genus Pyrola) gives the species its name.
Clusters of flowers appear on stalks which may be erect or bend to the ground. The small hairy flowers are greenish-white or white to pink. At certain times during growth and blossoming this plant will emit an odor similar to sweaty, unwashed socks.