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Description
Eriogonum abertianum, commonly known as Abert’s buckwheat or desert wild rhubarb, is a perennial shrub that belongs to the family Polygonaceae. It is native to the southwestern United States, including Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. This plant is named after John James Abert, a 19th-century American soldier, and explorer.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family | Genus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eukaryota | Plantae | Spermatophyta | Magnoliopsida | Caryophyllales | Polygonaceae | Eriogonum |
Appearance
Eriogonum abertianum can grow up to 3 feet tall with a spread of 2-3 feet. It has hairy and woody stems with green or gray-green leaves that are small and narrow. The flowers of this plant are small and white or pinkish, and they bloom from May to August. The fruit of Abert’s buckwheat is a small, triangular nutlet that is brownish-black in color.
Care Guide
Eriogonum abertianum is a low maintenance plant that is drought-tolerant and prefers well-draining soil. Here are some care tips for this plant:
- Water: Water the plant deeply once a week during hot weather, and reduce watering during winter months.
- Fertilization: Fertilize once a year in the spring with a balanced fertilizer.
- Soil: The plant prefers well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to neutral in pH.
- Sunlight: Eriogonum abertianum prefers full sun exposure.
- Hardiness Zones: This plant is hardy in USDA zones 7-10.
Common Pests & Diseases
Eriogonum abertianum is generally resistant to pests and diseases. However, it may be susceptible to root rot if the soil is not well-draining.
Habitat
Eriogonum abertianum is native to arid regions of the southwestern United States, where it grows in sandy or rocky soils in desert scrub, chaparral, and pinyon-juniper communities. It can also be found in disturbed areas such as roadsides and abandoned fields.
Question and Answer
Here are some common questions and answers related to Eriogonum abertianum:
- Q: Is Eriogonum abertianum deer-resistant?
- A: Yes, this plant is deer-resistant.
- Q: Can Eriogonum abertianum be grown in containers?
- A: Yes, it can be grown in containers as long as the soil is well-draining.
- Q: Does Eriogonum abertianum attract pollinators?
- A: Yes, this plant attracts bees and butterflies.
- Q: How often should I prune Eriogonum abertianum?
- A: You can prune this plant in the fall or winter to maintain its shape.
Related Plants
Here are some related plants in the Eriogonum genus:
- Eriogonum fasciculatum
- Eriogonum giganteum
- Eriogonum umbellatum
- Eriogonum wrightii
References
- “Eriogonum abertianum.” Arizona State University. Accessed October 6, 2021. https://www.desertmuseum.org/programs/sod_hall.php?name=Eriogonum%20abertianum.
- “Eriogonum abertianum.” Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – The University of Texas at Austin. Accessed October 6, 2021. https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ERAB2.
- “Eriogonum abertianum.” USDA Plants Database. Accessed October 6, 2021. https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=ERAB2.
