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Eriogonum alatum - Torr.

Common Name Winged Buckwheat
Family Polygonaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Sandy to gravelly flats and slopes, mixed grassland, saltbush, and sagebrush communities, oak, pinyon and/or juniper, and montane conifer woodlands at elevations of 300 - 3100 metres[270].
Range South-western N. America - Nebraska to Texas, west to Colorado and California.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Eriogonum alatum Winged Buckwheat


Patrick J. Alexander @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Eriogonum alatum Winged Buckwheat
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 1: 648.

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Eriogonum alatum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). It is in flower from July to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root  Seed
Edible Uses:

Root - raw or dried for later use[155, 177, 257]. Seed - ground into a powder and made into a mush[257].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Anodyne  Salve

The plant has been used in the treatment of pain and also to make a lotion to treat rashes[155, 257]. A cold infusion of the root has been used to treat diarrhoea and bad coughs[257]. It has also been used as a mouthwash for sore gums[257]. The powdered root has been mixed with oil and used as a dressing on a baby's sore navel[257]. The Navajo (Diné) people consider the species to be a 'life medicine', using a mixture of shredded roots and water primarily to treat internal ailments[270]. The species is used as a ceremonial medicine[270]. The Zuni use it as an emetic for stomachaches[270].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. There are two main forms of the plant, the type variety (Eriogonum alatum var. alatum) is rarely cultivated since an individual plant may go up to seven (or more) years before flowering, after which it dies[270]. It is unclear whether the variety glabriusculum also does this[K]. The notes below are based on the needs of other members of this genus. Requires a loose lean gritty well-drained soil in a very sunny position[200]. Succeeds in dry soils. Tolerates exposed positions[200]. Requires some protection from winter wet[1]. Established plants resent root disturbance[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a sandy compost in a greenhouse. Sow stored seed in early spring in a warm greenhouse[1]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in early spring[1]. This has to be done with care because the plant resents root disturbance[200]. Try to obtain divisions from around the edges of the plants without digging up the whole clump. Tease the divisions out with as much root on them as possible and pot them up. Grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse until they are rooting well and plant them out in the summer. Cuttings of greenwood with a heel in the summer[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Eriogonum atrorubensRed Wild Buckwheat, Red buckwheatPerennial1.0 0-0  LMNDM10 
Eriogonum corymbosumCrispleaf Buckwheat, Las Vegas wild buckwheatShrub0.3 3-7 SLMNDM11 
Eriogonum inflatumAmerican Pipeweed, Desert trumpetPerennial0.6 0-0  LMNDM211
Eriogonum jamesiiAntelope Sage, James' buckwheatPerennial0.3 4-8  LMNDM02 
Eriogonum latifoliumSeaside BuckwheatPerennial0.6 7-10  LMNDM21 
Eriogonum longifoliumLongleaf BuckwheatPerennial1.0 -  LMNDM11 
Eriogonum microthecumSlender Buckwheat, Alpine slender buckwheat, San Bernardino buckwheat, Johnston's buckwheat, PanaminShrub0.3 5-9  LMNDM11 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Torr.

Botanical References

235270

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Al Schneider   Wed Oct 22 23:32:26 2003

This plant is monocarpic and is also known as Pterogonum alatum.

Link: Southwest Colorado Wildflowers, Ferns, and Trees

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