Eriogonum umbellatum
Family: Polygonaceae
Common names: SAINT CATHERINE'S LACE, SULPHUR FLOWER, UMBRELLA PLANT, WILD BUCKWHEAT
Synonym: Erigonum umbellatum v. pallyanthum
Native to: California
Plant
Type: perennial
Forms: clumping, erect, rosette
Max height: 0.02 feet
Max width: 3 feet
Flower
white/off white, yellow
Leaf
green
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, specific butterfly species
Exposure: sun
Landscape use: container
Propagates by: seed
flowers in summer
Soil types: average, clay, gravelly or rocky
USDA Zones: zone 6 to -10 f, zone 7 to 0 f, zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f, zone 10 to +30 f
Temp. range: -10 to +40 °F
Water: dry, moderate
Eriogonum, WILD BUCKWHEAT, is a member of the Polygonaceae family with 362 species. Of these 4 are cultivated perennials: crocatum, grande, latifolium, nudum, umbellatum. They vary in height from under half a foot to over 7 feet tall and will grow in dry to moderate watering conditions.
Eriogonum umbellatum, a native California, is a perennial that grows to nearly 1/2 foot tall and spreads to about 3 feet. It produces yellow flowers in summer and can be grown from seed in Zones 6-10. It prefers to be grown in sun and is small enough to grow in a container.
In addition to the butterflies listed below, Eriogonum umbellatum will also attract Satyrium titus, Coral Hairstreak.
Numerous butterflies feed on Eriogonum:
Apodemia mejicanus, Sonoran Metalmark
Apodemia mormo, Mormon Metalmark
Apodemia virgulti, Behr's Metalmark
Callophrys affinis, Western Green Hairstreak
Euphilotes enoptes, Pacific Dotted-Blue
Euphilotes pallescens, Pallid Dotted-Blue
Euphilotes rita, Rita Dotted-Blue
Lycaena hermes, Hermes Copper
Lycaena heteronea, Blue Copper
Philotiella speciosa, Small Dotted-Blue
Plebejus acmon, Acmon Blue
Plebejus icarioides, Boisduval's Blue
Satyrium californica, California Hairstreak
Satyrium saepium, Hedgerow Hairstreak
Satyrium tetra, Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak
Container plants that attract adult butterflies - perennial
This plant can be grown in a container and will attract and feed adult butterflies. These plant can be found in every height range – from tiny to large – from less than a foot high to over 10 feet tall.
Our database of nectar plants for all US butterflies contains over 10,000 entries. The top five nectar plants -- Cirsium, Lantana, Asclepias, Salvia, and Verbena -- will appeal to 90% of all US butterflies. Pick from these if you want to provide nectar for your local butterflies.
Once you start with these, you can add from another 630 genera in 110 plant families to attract more insects to your garden.
By far the most import butterfly nectar plant family is Asteraceae. If you grow plants in from this family, butterflies will find your garden.
