California Buckwheat

Eriogonum fasciculatum

Habitat: Coastal Sage Scrub

Value to Environment: This plant is very important to the environment because many animals depend on it to survive. Buckwheat produce many many seeds that the native birds like to eat. The birds also eat insects which live on the plant. The Western Finch is particularly fond of the seeds of the Buckwheat. The population of these birds is declining. We must save these plants in order to prevent the extinction of the animals that depend on it.

Value to Man: The Native Americans ground seeds into a flour like mush. They used leaves to make tea for headache and stomach disorders, and they steeped the flowers for eye wash.