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Home/Species/ Lemmon's Buckwheat

Eriogonum lemmonii

S. Wats.

Lemmon's Buckwheat

G3Vulnerable (G3?) Found in 1 roadless area NatureServe Explorer →
G3VulnerableGlobal Rank
MediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.158510
Element CodePDPGN083J0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderPolygonales
FamilyPolygonaceae
GenusEriogonum
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date1997-03-04
Change Date1997-03-04
Edition Date2025-03-17
Edition AuthorsK. Maybury (1997) (rev. by J. Morefield & J. Nachlinger), rev. Johnson, J. (2025)
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent1000-5000 square km (about 400-2000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences6 - 20
Rank Reasons
Eriogonum lemmonii is an annual herb that is endemic to west-central Nevada in the Lahontan Basin. This species only appears in years when temperature and moisture conditions are favorable, and in the early to mid-1970s it was feared to be extinct. Threats are poorly understood due to the ephemeral nature of the species and its apparent tolerance of intermittent disturbance.
Range Extent Comments
Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (RARECAT 2024, GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences Comments
By applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are 18 occurrences rangewide (RARECAT 2024, GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact Comments
While grazing is widespread within the range of this species, the barren habitat is not attractive to cattle so the impact is unknown. Mining claims exist in or near several populations (BLM 2024). Open Bureau of Land Management lands near Reno and other cities are popular areas for off-road vehicle use. Many vehicle trails are visible near occurrences but plants have been observed growing in disturbed areas so the impact is unknown (NatureServe2024, iNaturalist 2025).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Flats and slopes on rolling hills of weathered tuff or clay, fine, light-colored, soils, saltbush and greasewood communities (FNA 2005, NatureServe 2025).
Terrestrial Habitats
Shrubland/chaparralDesertBarrens
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN3
ProvinceRankNative
NevadaS3Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
2 - Agriculture & aquacultureLarge (31-70%)UnknownHigh (continuing)
2.3 - Livestock farming & ranchingLarge (31-70%)UnknownHigh (continuing)
3 - Energy production & miningRestricted (11-30%)Serious or 31-70% pop. declineModerate (short-term)
3.2 - Mining & quarryingRestricted (11-30%)Serious or 31-70% pop. declineModerate (short-term)
6 - Human intrusions & disturbanceRestricted (11-30%)UnknownHigh (continuing)
6.1 - Recreational activitiesRestricted (11-30%)UnknownHigh (continuing)

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Plant Characteristics
DurationANNUAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (1)
Nevada (1)
AreaForestAcres
Pine Grove NorthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest8,749
References (3)
  1. Kartesz, J.T. 1988. A flora of Nevada. Ph.D. dissertation. Univ. of Nevada, Reno. 3 volumes. 1729 pp.
  2. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  3. Mozingo, H.N., and M. Williams. 1980. The threatened and endangered plants of Nevada. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management, Portland, OR. 268 pp.