Conservation Plan

Kern buckwheat

Eriogonum kennedyi var. pinicola is a perennial, matted herb in the Polygonaceae family (buckwheat family). It is known from just four small occurrences in the Piute Mountains of Kern County, California. It grows between 1700m and 1800m in open areas of chaparral or montane conifer woodlands. Little is understood about this plant’s life history, including longevity, reproductive biology, response to disturbance, and susceptibility to disease. There is a clear need for further study so that appropriate management practices can be implemented.

Conservation Status

Eriogonum kennedyi var. pinicola faces several threats, such as climate change, the development of renewable energy facilities, off-highway vehicular recreation, hikers, and invasive species. 

Eriogonum kennedyi var. pinicola is listed on the California Native Plant Society’s (CNPS) Rare Plant Inventory as a 1B.1. This means that it is seriously endangered in California and elsewhere. It has a state ranking of S1 (critically imperiled) in California and a global ranking of G4T1 (G4 = apparently secure globally, T1 = critically imperiled variety). It is currently not listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, California Endangered Species Act, or the federal Endangered Species Act.

Field Work

In 2024, a trip was taken to the southernmost occurrence. At this site, the number of individuals was estimated, as well as the number of flowering individuals. Pollinator interactions, status of the habitat, and observed threats were also documented. Detailed photographs were taken of the plant, as well as its habitat, disturbances, pollinators, and other relevant data.

One more trip is planned for 2025, during which the remaining three occurrences will be visited and the same detailed information collected. Concluding that field work, a detailed conservation plan will be published by the end of 2025. 

All of this information will also be used to update the California Natural Diversity Database.