Eriogonum corymbosum

Submitted by Weiser on Sun, 01/09/2011 - 21:53

This larger member of the Genus can be found in eight varieties (according to Dr. Reveal's new Identification Manual for Eriogonum) across the semi-desert shrublands, woodlands, rocky out croppings and drainages of the Colorado Plateau. It's range covers central and eastern UT, northern AZ, & NM, western CO, southwestern WY and the southern tip of NV.

It grows as a rounded spreading shrub 3'-4' and 3'-4' across. The flowers are in most cases white to off white and pale yellow to yellow. This is a late summer-mid fall bloomer. It attracts multitudes of pollinators since little else is in bloom at this time of year. I have seen several species of bees, wasps, butterflies, hoverflies, and beetles all grazing on the nectar and pollen at the same time. I say grazing because the flowers are so tightly spaced they only have to step from one to the next with out much effort.

http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=250060233
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ERCO14
http://www.plantsystematics.org/reveal/pbio/eriog/eriogarden.html

The plant pictured is 3' X 3' and four years old.