Eriogonum multiflorum

Eriogonum multiflorum is a North American species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family Polygonaceae, known by the common names heart-sepal wild buckwheat and many-flowered buckwheat. It is native to the south-central United States, occurring primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Description

Eriogonum multiflorum is an annual or biennial herb with erect to ascending stems. Plants may reach substantial height depending on habitat conditions. Leaves are generally narrow and variably pubescent. The inflorescence is a large, many-flowered cluster, with small flowers that are typically white. Flowering occurs from late summer into autumn (approximately September to November).

Distribution and habitat

This species is endemic to the south-central United States, including Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. It typically grows in sandy soils and open habitats such as woodlands, prairies, and disturbed sites.

Taxonomy

Eriogonum multiflorum was first described by George Bentham in 1836 in Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. The type specimen was collected in Texas by Thomas Drummond, though the exact locality is uncertain.

Two infraspecific taxa have been recognized:

• Eriogonum multiflorum var. multiflorum- typically has narrower, less thickened leaf blades and is distributed more broadly across Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.

• Eriogonum multiflorum var. riograndis (G.L. Nesom) Reveal, based on Eriogonum riograndis G.L. Nesom (2002) - restricted mainly to southern and coastal Texas, is distinguished by its broader leaf blades (oblong to narrowly ovate, 1.5–4.5 cm long), which are often floccose to glabrate on the upper surface and may become thickened or somewhat succulent. This variety also tends to occur in sandy to gravelly coastal flats, grasslands, and woodland margins, and its range is more localized and scattered, sometimes forming intergrading populations with var. multiflorum along contact zones in Texas.

var. multiflorum	var. riograndis
Narrower leaf blades, typically less thickened	Broader leaf blades, sometimes thickened or somewhat succulent

Conservation

Eriogonum multiflorum is currently ranked G5 (secure) globally by NatureServe, indicating it is widespread and not considered at risk of extinction. However, it may be locally uncommon in parts of its range, particularly at the edges of its distribution.

References

multiflorum Category:Endemic flora of the United States Category:Plants described in 1836