Long Stemmed Buckwheat
Eriogonum elongatum
ABOUT
During the spring you may see a bare stalk begin growing out of the ground. If you revisit the same spot over the next few months, you’ll find that it continues to grow, and grow, and grow - this bare stalk with seemingly no flowers or leaves - what IS this plant? You might think.
If you’re persistent and patient enough, you can come back in Fall and actually find this strange plant in bloom! Flowers ornately arranged up and down the stalk, “wand buckwheat” is another common name for this plant.
They seem to thrive in sunny open areas, the plant seems to put all its energy into growing fast and tall, above the surrounding competitors, and not wasting resources on leaves.
Like other buckwheats, it’s a pollinator magnet and butterfly/moth sanctuary (a host plant for a suspected 46 species).
In the garden, its Dr. Seuss-like odd shape adds some contrast to traditional plants.
In the wild you can often find large patches of it, drooping over hiking trails, while in other areas it’s more upright.
More info on long stemmed buckwheat can be found on the Calscape and Wikipedia.