Eriogonum flavum is a perennial herb from taproot and woody caudex that forms dense mats in small areas, with leafless stems approximately 5–20 cm high. The dark green, 2.5–7 cm long leaves are spatulate-oblanceolate with long petioles. The plant is greenish above, while heavily whitish-tomentose below. This perennial herb re-emerges from taproot and woody caudex, and is likely long lived. Flowers late May to mid July. The inflorescence is a dense umbel with leaf like bracts at its base. There is one heavily villous involcure, roughly 5–6 mm high per ray of the umbel. The perianth is 4–6 mm long, very hairy, and typically pale yellow. it produces an aroma, that is unpleasnt to humans but attracts pollinating bees. Roughly half of the viable population produce flowers in a given season, and seed are uncommon, further supporting longevity. Downhill transport of seeds is primary way of dispersal, but wind probably aids in dispersal uphill. However, downhill growth of caudex branches aids in vegetative dispersal. Fruit are 3–5 mm long three angled achenes that are sparsely pubescent at tip. "Inflorescences subcapitate or umbellate, 0.5-3 × 0.3-2.5 dm; branches tomentose to floccose; bracts 4-6, leaflike to semileaflike at proximal node, 0.5-2 × 0.2-0.5 cm, sometimes absent immediately below involucre. Involucres 1 per node, turbinate to campanulate, 3-9 × 2-5 mm, tomentose to floccose; teeth 5-8, erect, 0.2-1 mm. Flowers 3-7 mm, including 0.2-1.5 mm stipelike base; perianth pale to bright yellow, densely pubescent abaxially; tepals monomorphic, oblong; stamens exserted, 3-6 mm; filaments pilose proximally. Acheneslight brown to brown, 3-5 mm, glabrous except for sparsely pubescent beak."
Human and wildlife uses
The plant has been observed as browse for many species of animal, including deer, elk, horses, bighorn sheep and mountain goats which browse the umbels. Blue grouse consume the leaves, as well as insects. Plains tribes of Native Americans used the mashed roots of this plant as ear plugs, and the flowers as an additive for the tanning of buffalo hides. The roots were eaten by children as a sweet snack
Subspecies and varieties
There are three subspecies of this species, with subspecies piperi containing two varieties:
Subspecies flavum: A much grayer version of the species, with grayish leaves above and whitish leaves below. Typically found east of the Rocky Mountains.
Subspecies piperi var. linguifolium: Leaves greenish above, but involcures are less than 5mm long and with more bell shaped bases. The teeth are also longer, usually more than 0.5mm. Found west of the Rocky Mountains
Subspecies piperi var. piperi: Also green above, but the involcures are greater than 6mm, and the involcure teeth are generally shorter than 0.5mm. Also found west of the Rocky Mountains.
Subspecies aquilinum: The most northern representative of the species at large. 5-7mm long involcures, densely tomentose.
Habitat
This plant is generally found at moderate to high elevation, and grows on rocky open soils to ridges, or grasslands. Grows at 1,000 m in the Yukon, and as low as 170 m in Alaska, although the average throughout the southern portion of its range is around 2133.6 m. Associated with rock, scree, gravel, silt and loamy substrates. Usually associated with southern facing 20o to 50o slopes.
Distribution
This species of plant has a very extensive range, including most of the Pacific Northwest. It is found north to British Columbia, south to the BlueMountains of Oregon and California, east to south central Idaho, Colorado, and southwestern Alberta. Subspecies aquilinum is found north to the eastern portions of Alaska and throughout British Columbia and the Yukon.
