Eriogonum pyrolifolium

Eriogonum pyrolifolium 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 gives the species its name. The wool on the leaves and petioles sometimes has a pronounced orange color. 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.

Habitat

Eriogonum pyrolifolium often grows on nearly barren dry rocky soil in sub-alpine and alpine locations, including extensive pumice and tephra slopes on Mount Rainier and other Cascade range volcanoes.