Species: Eriogonum cernuum var. cernuum Nutt.

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Eriogonum cernuum var. cernuum Nutt.

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TAXONOMY

Family:

Polygonaceae

Genus:

Eriogonum

Species Synonyms:

Eriogonum cernuum ssp. tenue (Torr. & Gray) S. Stokes
Eriogonum cernuum var. tenue Torr. & Gray

Common Names:

nodding buckwheat
nodding umbrella-plant

DISTRIBUTION

Canada:

southeastern Alberta – southwestern Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan:

southwestern Saskatchewan; Upper South Saskatchewan River – Leader – Webb

Ecoregion:

Mixed Grassland

HABITAT

Saskatchewan:

dry, eroded grassland slopes

Associated species:

Achnatherum hymenoides, Helianthus petiolaris, Linum rigidum, Psoralidium lanceolatum, Solidago missouriensis

RARITY STATUS

Provincial Status According
to Harms (2003):

Threatened

Nature Conservancy Status:

G5 N2 S1

Saskatchewan Species at
Risk Status:

None

COSEWIC Status:

None

Eriogonum cernuum var. cernuum is threatened because it is rare or uncommon and is regionally restricted in the province. Most populations are small. Possible threats have been identified for this species.

SPECIES DESCRIPTION

Height:

5 – 60 cm

Stems:

caudex absent; annual, spreading to erect, branched, greyish, greenish or reddish, glabrous

Leaves:

basal or sheathing, 1 – 2 cm long, 1 – 2 cm wide, ovate to orbicular; petiole 1 – 4 cm long, tomentose

Inflorescence:

heads reflexed, open to diffuse, 5 – 40 cm; branches glabrous; bracts 3, scale-like; peduncles spreading to ascending or nodding, glabrous

Flowers:

1 – 2 mm, glabrous; tepals white to pinkish, becoming rose to red, dimorphic (outer whorl pandurate, inner whorl obovate); stamens exserted

Fruits:

achenes light brown to brown, trigonous, glabrous

ERIOGONUM KEY FOR SPECIES FOUND IN SASKATCHEWAN

1 Stems diffusely branched; flowers in reflexed heads; perianth glabrous	E. cernuum var. cernuum
1 Stems generally unbranched; flowers in umbels; perianth pubescent	2

2 Perianth not stipitate at base, cream-coloured to pink-tinged; stems forming loose mats	E. pauciflorum var. pauciflorum
2 Perianth stipitate at base, pale to deep yellow; stems forming dense mats	E. flavum var. flavum