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Coast (Dune/Sea-cliff) Buckwheat – Eriogonum parvifolium (air-ee-OG-oh-num par-vi-FOE-lee-um) Family: Polygonaceae (Buckwheat family) Native to: California coast from Monterey to San Diego; Coastal strand/prairie, back-dunes, Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral and southern oak woodlands. Growth characteristics: woody shrub mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 2-4 ft. Low, spreading perennial shrub with loose, slender, bending branches. Leaves are small, rolled with water deprivation. Loses leaves in drought (drought-deciduous). Blooms/fruits: blooms throughout year, but summer is main bloom period. Showy flowers are small, pink-crème, in dense balls at top of plant. Red-brown fruits remain on plants and are showy. Uses in the garden: As tall groundcover or shrub. Particularly good on hillsides, seaside conditions. Good for erosion control. Key habitat plant for local butterflies, including El Segudo Blue. Showy. Use with Ashyleaf Buckwheat in coastal gardens, sandy soils. Sensible substitute for: non-native buckwheats; other medium-sized shrubs Attracts: very important local butterfly plant (larval food – El Segundo Blue butterfly) . All parts of plant are used by small animals. Birds eat seeds. Requirements: Element Requirement Sun Full sun to full shade Soil Well-drained soils best – can tolerate clays with little summer water; any pH is fine Water Very drought tolerant once established. No/little summer water needed, but can give occasional water to retain leaves. Fertilizer None needed Other Tolerates salty & alkali soils, seaside conditions Management: Little needed. Prune to shape and remove dead branches. Can remove old seed heads or retain for birds. Will reseed on bare ground. Cut back if raggedy Propagation: from seed : collect ripe (tan) seed in late summer. Plant fresh seed in fall in prepared beds or in fall/spring in pots. Fairly easy. by cuttings : semi-softwood with heel in late summer/early fall Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-3, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 20, 24, 25 11/29/10 © Project SOUND
