Sulphur flower is a buckwheat family perennial native to parts of the western US, where it can be found in dry rocky soils in forests, foothills slopes and mountain ridges. Needing little moisture to perform well, they are suitable for water-wise gardens. Allowing the soil to remain wet can be fatal to this plant. Individual plants can look different from one another, making it difficult to identify. It is highly variable in shape and color. The red tinged buds open to reveal yellow flowers that bloom from the summer into fall, giving color to its location for an extended period of time. Flowering occurs at the top of the stems forming dense clusters up to 4" wide. As the blooms dry, they become a rusty color, making them a great addition to dried arrangements. Its matting habit, spreading to up to 3' wide, make this plant a great ground cover in locations that include hot and dry conditions. During the cooler months, the foliage will turn to shades of red/burgundy, which will extend the season for this semi-evergreen plant. Propagation is best by planting seed. This plant is difficult to divide due to its long taproots. The roots also make transplanting a challenge. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues. Powdery mildew and rust are occasional problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Horizontal; Prostrate; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green; White
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Linear
Leaf margin
Entire; Undulate
Leaf feel
Leathery; Velvety
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The upper side of the leaf is green, while the underside is white and felted.
Fall color
Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Fragrant; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Bell
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The clusters of tiny 1/4" yellow flowers may be up to 4" wide and open from red-tinged buds. They will dry to a red/burgundy color that can be used in dried arrangements.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Stem detail
The stems are leafless.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Southwestern U.S.A. to New Mexico
Distribution
CA, ID, OR, WA, CO, MT, UT, SY, NV, AR, NM
Wildlife value
Butterflies, moths, and bees are attracted to the flowers. Its seeds provide a food source for birds and other wildlife.