Eriogonum umbellatum Torr. historical
1 media/435900_thumb.jpg 2022-03-02T11:34:38-08:00 Yair Tabibi 078fed945287deb72c47d884b791a31f6b31eab5 40021 2 plain 2022-03-08T15:41:28-08:00 Kew Royal Botanical Gardens Nicole Cohen 77b59277f6b2a55cc085a928224030c702d38cf4This page has annotations:
- 1 2022-03-04T11:32:48-08:00 Nicole Cohen 77b59277f6b2a55cc085a928224030c702d38cf4 Long Stems Nicole Cohen 3 plain 2022-03-04T11:34:20-08:00 Nicole Cohen 77b59277f6b2a55cc085a928224030c702d38cf4
- 1 2022-03-04T11:34:58-08:00 Nicole Cohen 77b59277f6b2a55cc085a928224030c702d38cf4 Lack of root abundance. Nicole Cohen 3 plain 2022-03-04T11:37:02-08:00 Nicole Cohen 77b59277f6b2a55cc085a928224030c702d38cf4
- 1 2022-03-08T14:55:18-08:00 Nicole Cohen 77b59277f6b2a55cc085a928224030c702d38cf4 Historical E. umbellatum flowers Nicole Cohen 2 plain 2022-03-08T14:56:21-08:00 Nicole Cohen 77b59277f6b2a55cc085a928224030c702d38cf4
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2022-02-16T11:36:36-08:00
Beautiful Buckwheat: Comparisons Between Eriogonum umbellatum var. umbellatum Torr. and Eriogonum giganteum var. compactum
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This entry examines two plants under the Polygonaceae family, and of the same genus: Eriogonum umbellatum var. umbellatum Torr., and Eriogonum giganteum var. compactum. The former plant is commonly known as sulphur-flower buckwheat and was collected from the UCLA herbarium. The latter plant, known as Santa Barbara Island Buckwheat, was collected from the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden. Comparisons between the two plants are of note and bring to light both similarities and differences within their roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. The two plants are examined from the bottom up, thus prompting inquiry into its individualistic functions and further the potential medicinal and historical uses of the plants. - By: Nicole Cohen and Yair Tabibi
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2022-03-11T11:56:11-08:00
Eriogonum umbellatum var. umbellatum Torr., a member of the Polygonecae family, is colloquially known as sulphur-flower buckwheat, a common yet significant plant, and commonly ranges from 3-16 inches tall. This plant in particular was collected by G.N. Jones on July 16, 1933. The image of the collected Eriogonum umbellatum var. umbellatum Torr. plant begins with its roots, which are quite extensive, almost half the size of the plant itself. The length and abundance of the roots may indicate that the plant is efficient at absorbing water from the soil. The thinness, yet abundant nature, of the roots may also be an indicator of absorption efficacy.
Furthermore, the abundance of roots, both thick and thin, as well as their length, indicates the potential for the plant's ability to thrive in dry climates, where water is scarce. This plant in particular was collected from the Oregon woods. Its genus counterpart, Eriogonum giganteum var. compactum, was collected from the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical garden on a hill with dry soil in direct sunlight. It stands to reason that E. umbellatum could potentially thrive in similar conditions.
The herbarium plant has many small leaves that branch off from the stem. This may indicate that the plant is prone to sunlight-filled areas. The abundance of leaves would aid in the photosynthesis process, collecting energy from the sun. The plant's leaves dry in brown color, and they are relatively uniform in shape, almost in a tear-dropped or almond-shaped formation. This shape may aid in the function of the plant, either bringing water to the center of the plant or dropping water downwards towards the root. Because the plant was collected from the woods, the function of the leaves could also be a method of preservation, mitigating rainfall or moisture from oversupplying the plant.
Eriogonum giganteum var compactum, also known as Santa Barbara Island Buckwheat, is larger than E. umbellatum, generally ranging between 1.3-3 feet tall. While the plant is larger in terms of size, is very similar to E. umbellatum in terms of the shape and color of its leaves. The light color of the underside of the E. umbellatum leaves differs from its dark surface. The darker color of its surface, while potentially a side effect of drying, could additionally function as an attractant towards sunlight. This aspect of the plant’s leaves is mirrored in the leaves of E. giganteum.
One significant difference between the two plants is revealed in the stems, the herbarium plant containing long, thin stems, while the plant from the botanical garden is thicker, nearly double the size, which may reflect the difference in location climate. Another difference that is present between the two plants emerges from the flowers; E. umbellatum is populated by clustered yellow flowers in the shape of an umbrella, which could be for ease of pollination, while E. giganteum is populated by far less abundant flowers in the shape of small stars. Additionally, E. giganteum flowers do not contain the bright yellow of its counterpart, instead consisting of a dark purple or gray when not in season, and a lighter white color whilst in season.
The materia medica version of our plant, its scientific name being Eriogonum umbellatum Torr, was supplied by the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens, and was collected from the Upper Geyser Basin on Yellowstone Park on August 6, 1897. The plant was collected by P.A. Rydberg and Ernst A. Bessey. The collected buckwheat plant includes stems, leaves, and flowers/inflorescence (with an inflorescence axis). It's form and structure is very similar, almost identical, to the E. umbellatum plant from the UCLA Herbarium, with slight differences apparent within their roots, which can be attributed to differences in collection practice.
In a historical context, the use of the E. umbellatum plant, has been touted by many of the United States Native American tribes, its medicinal usages varying. Tribes in the west of the United States, such as the Klamath, Cheyenne, Kayenta Navajo, among others, use the plants in different forms, but generally in that of a poultice or salve. For example, the Klamath utilized the leaves in a poultice to calm burns, while the Cheyenne utilized the stems and flowers to aid lengthy menstrual cycles in women. The Paiute and Shoshone tribes utilized the leaves and roots as an aid for rheumatism, colds, or pains of the stomach. The Kawaiisu used the flowers in the form of a salve to treat gonorrheal sores. The plant as a whole was used by the Navajo to prompt vomiting in the case of intestinal issues. The historical E. umbellatum plant consists of small, rounded, almond-shaped leaves, with long and thin stems. The top of the plant has yellow bunched flowers varying in quantity from four to nine per plant. The image of the plant is consistent with the depicted properties of E. umbellatum var. umbellatum Torr, our originally researched species from the UCLA herbarium. The modern form of sulphur-flower buckwheat, however, does not appear to be used in contemporary medicines or treatments.WORKS CITED
United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. “Sulphur-Flower Buckwheat (Eriogonum Umbellatum) Plant Guide.” USDA NRCS Lockeford Plant Materials Center. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/capmcpg11382.pdf.