Ringed-stem bastard-sage

Eriogonum trachygonum Torrey ex Bentham subsp. membranaceum (S. Stokes ex Jepson) S. Stokes; E. wrightii subsp. membranaceum (S. Stokes ex Jepson) S. Stokes

Subshrubs, 2-4(-5) × 3-6 dm, mostly thinly tomentose. Leaves: petiole bases forming distinct ring around stem; blade elliptic, 0.2-0.6(-1) × 0.1-0.3(-0.4) cm. Inflorescences virgate or cymose; branches usually slender. Involucres 2-3 mm. Flowers 3-4 mm; perianth white to pink or rose. Achenes 2.5-3 mm.

Flowering Jul-Oct. Gravelly to rocky soils, chaparral communities, oak and conifer woodlands; 300-2200 m; Calif.; Mexico (Baja California).

Variety membranaceum is a basically Mexican taxon that barely enters the flora area (southwesternmost Kern, western Imperial, Los Angeles, western Riverside, southeastern San Bernardino, San Diego, and southern Ventura counties). The ring-like petiole bases that surround the node are distinctive, being seen otherwise only in some of the perennial species of Chorizanthe in Chile. Ringed-stem bastard-sage is occasionally planted as an ornamental; it is particularly attractive to honey bees. The variety is related to both var. dentatum (S. Stokes) Reveal and var. taxifolium (Greene) Parish of Baja California, Mexico.