This variety of E. ovalifolium is on the endangered species list due to its very limited range. I am lucky that I live very near it's specific habitat. It grows on geothermally derived soils found just south of Reno at the Steamboat Hotsprings. It's total range encompasses about 150 acers on public and private land.
Here are links that give more information about this rare Eriogonum.
http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/collection/cpc_viewprofile.asp...
http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/collection/NationalCollection....
http://heritage.nv.gov/reports/erovwbro.pdf
http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/abstract/88/4/608
http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?stat=BROWSE&query_src=photos...
The last picture in this set is of Eriogonum ovalifolium var. williamsiae intertwined with Astragalus newberryi in native habitat
