Crosby's Buckwheat / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Crosby's Buckwheat (Eriogonum crosbyae)

Eriogonum crosbyae in flull bloom--a colorful sight in a barren landscape. Photo Credit: Julie Kierstead
  • Global Rank: T3 - Vulnerable
  • Legal Status: N/A
  • Family: Polygonaceae
  • State: ID, NV, OR
  • Nature Serve ID: 140288
  • Lifeform: Forb/herb
  • Date Inducted in National Collection: 04/04/1991
Description:

With just over 160,000 individuals in Nevada and over 16,000 in Oregon (Kaye et al. 1990 and NNHP 2001b), it is natural to wonder why scientists and land managers are concerned about this species. Despite this large number of plants, over 85% of the populations in Nevada lie within a mining company's lease area. Eriogonum crosbyae seems to have extremely specific soil requirements. It grows only in light-tan to white volcanic tuff (ash) deposits that were laid down 8-12 million years ago in shallow lakes. This soil type is scattered throughout northwest Nevada and southeast Oregon. Mining will likely destroy this habitat type and this species' chance for continued survival.

Where is Crosby's Buckwheat (Eriogonum crosbyae) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Eriogonum crosbyae grows only on gentle to steep slopes comprised of light-tan to white volcanic ash deposits. Precipitation averages 8 to 10 inches per year. Associated species are sparse but include: Astragalus spp., Atriplex confertifolia, Chrysothamnus nauseosus, Tetradymia glabrata, Artemisia spp., Elymus cinereus, Stanleya viridiflora, Sphaeralcea, Ipomopsis congesta,and frequently Astragalus tiehmii.

Distribution:

OR, NV OR: Basin and Range (Lake and Harney Counties)NV: Most clustered in Washoe County, 1 isolated population in Humboldt Co.

States & Provinces:

Crosby's Buckwheat can be found in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon

Which CPC Partners conserve Crosby's Buckwheat (Eriogonum crosbyae)?

CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

Conservation Actions

Center for Plant Conservation
  • 08/18/2021

In 2021, CPC contracted the Rae Selling Berry Seed Bank to recollect seed from a population currently held in long term orthodox seed storage as part of an IMLS-funded seed longevity experiment. The National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation will evaluate how germination tested viability and RNA Integrity of seed lots decline over time in storage.

  • 09/10/2020
  • Genetic Research

Eriogonum crosbyae and E. prociduum were compared using 14 morphological characteristics. They are very similar morphologically. Five traits were consistent and useful in distinguishing the two species. Some traits varied between populations of the same species (Kaye et al. 1990). Genetic analysis utilizing isozymes to detect if Eriogonum crosbyae and E. prociduum have hybridized, to detect the amount of genetic diversity within and between populations of the same species, and to determine if such genetic analysis could be an effective method of distinguishing the two species. There was no evidence of hybridization, however, there were no alleles that were unique to any one species, so results were not definitive. Researchers found relatively high genetic diversity in E. crosbyae compared to other plant species (Kaye et al. 1990).

  • 09/10/2020
  • Reproductive Research

Pollinators were observed and identified. Insect visitors appeared to be relatively faithful to Eriogonum crosbyae and were not observed visiting nearby closely-related species such as E. prociduum and E. ovalifolium (Kaye et al. 1990).

  • 09/10/2020
  • Propagation Research

Germination trials at The Berry Botanic Garden. 40% germination was obtained by direct placement in a 68F (20C) chamber. Alternating 50F/69F (10/20C) temperatures yielded 20% germination. When seeds were first cold stratified for 8 weeks, 20% germinated in the 68F (20C) chamber and none germinated in the alternating 50F/69F (10/20C) chamber (BBG File). Germination trials (Florance 1994).

  • 09/10/2020
  • Orthodox Seed Banking

Seeds collected from 4 locations stored at the Berry Botanic Garden.

  • 09/10/2020
  • Seed Collection

Seeds collected from 4 locations stored at the Berry Botanic Garden.

Nature Serve Biotics
  • 05/02/2017

Eriogonum crosbyae is known from eight occurrences in Lake and Harney Counties in Oregon and from sixty-one occurrences in Washoe County, Nevada. It is threatened by range improvement projects, off-road vehicle traffic, and mining.

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.
  • 01/01/2010

Cattle grazing and rabbit herbivory. (Meinke 1982). Range improvement projects (Meinke 1982). Off-road vehicle traffic. (Meinke 1982). Mineral exploration and extraction (NNHP 2001). Private property development (NNHP 2001). Poor seed set and l

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.
  • 01/01/2010

9 sites in Oregon. Two sites have two populations each, for a total of 11 populations. Population sizes range from 12 to 6,900-but many have not been surveyed since 1980. Most occurrences are on State land, a few on BLM (ONHPDB 2000). In Nevada, there are about 30 occurrences with a total of 160,000 individuals estimated. Most Nevada occurrences are on BLM land, a few on private (NNHP 2001b).

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.
  • 01/01/2010

Germination trials at The Berry Botanic Garden. 40% germination was obtained by direct placement in a 68F (20C) chamber. Alternating 50F/69F (10/20C) temperatures yielded 20% germination. When seeds were first cold stratified for 8 weeks, 20% germinated in the 68F (20C) chamber and none germinated in the alternating 50F/69F (10/20C) chamber (BBG File). Germination trials (Florance 1994). Pollinators were observed and identified. Insect visitors appeared to be relatively faithful to Eriogonum crosbyae and were not observed visiting nearby closely-related species such as E. prociduum and E. ovalifolium (Kaye et al. 1990). Eriogonum crosbyae and E. prociduum were compared using 14 morphological characteristics. They are very similar morphologically. Five traits were consistent and useful in distinguishing the two species. Some traits varied between populations of the same species (Kaye et al. 1990). Genetic analysis utilizing isozymes to detect if Eriogonum crosbyae and E. prociduum have hybridized, to detect the amount of genetic diversity within and between populations of the same species, and to determine if such genetic analysis could be an effective method of distinguishing the two species. There was no evidence of hybridization, however, there were no alleles that were unique to any one species, so results were not definitive. Researchers found relatively high genetic diversity in E. crosbyae compared to other plant species (Kaye et al. 1990).

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.
  • 01/01/2010

Seeds collected from 4 locations stored at the Berry Botanic Garden. Inventories conducted in 1989 throughout the known range in Oregon resulted in no new sites (Kaye et al. 1990). Species management guide drafted and finalized in 1989. Several sites on land designated as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) managed by the Bureau of Land Management (Surprise Valley BLM). Transplantation for mitigation and restoration project at a mine site where they would have otherwise been destroyed. Transplants were largely successful. Descriptive signage was installed to inform visitors. Plants were monitored from 1988 to 1993 (Surprise Valley BLM). Fencing and signage to prevent disturbance of habitat by vehicles and heavy mining equipment at a nearby mining pit (Surprise Valley BLM).

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.
  • 01/01/2010

Research the reasons for low seed set. Pollination studies, embryo dissections, and genetic studies should be employed (Kaye et al. 1990). Conduct genetic studies to determine the mechanisms that give this species relatively high genetic diversity (Kaye et al. 1990). Preserve large populations rather than many small populations to preserve the inherent genetic diversity (Kay et al. 1990). Conduct long-term monitoring to detect long-term seed production trends and seedling recruitment over time (Kaye et al. 1990). Suggest emergency listing under the Endangered Species Act if mining operations directly threaten large numbers of plants (Kaye et al. 1990).

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.
  • 01/01/2010

Collect and store seeds from across the range. Determine optimum germination requirements. Determine propagation and reintroduction protocols.

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Nomenclature
Taxon Eriogonum crosbyae
Authority Reveal
Family Polygonaceae
CPC Number 1708
ITIS 195635
USDA ERCR10
Duration Perennial
Common Names Crosby's buckwheat
Associated Scientific Names Eriogonum crosbyae | Eriogonum capistratum | Eriogonum meledonum | Eriogonum verrucosum | Eriogonum capistratum var. capistratum | Eriogonum capistratum var. muhlickii | Eriogonum capistratum var. welshii | Eriogonum ochrocephalum var. alexandrae
Distribution OR, NV OR: Basin and Range (Lake and Harney Counties)NV: Most clustered in Washoe County, 1 isolated population in Humboldt Co.
State Rank
State State Rank
Idaho S2
Nevada S3
Oregon S2
Ecological Relationships

Photos

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