California Buckwheat

California buckwheat (or flat-topped buckwheat, Eriogonum fasciculatum) is a prolific bloomer even in the long hot days of summer. This is not the buckwheat of pancake-fame, but it is an important nectar source for bees, and the resultant honey is delicious. Buckwheat was an important medicinal plant for Native Americans. Kumeyaay (who called it Hamill) boiled flowers or leaves into a tea to be used as an eyewash, a mouthwash and a remedy for headaches, stomach aches. The tiny seeds were gathered and ground into flour. This may be the source of the common name, although the plant is not the source of buckwheat flour. California buckwheat is an important nectar source for bees, and is prized by apiarists.