Fagopyrum esculentum Buckwheat (Polygonaceae)

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Fagopyrum esculentum
Buckwheat
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The Fagopyrum esculentum plant species is found in C. Asia. An occasional casual in Britain. It is a member of the Polygonaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Buckwheat. Some home gardeners know the variety as F. sagittatum. F. vulgare. Polygonum fagopyrum. - correct name?

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Fagopyrum esculentum
Common Name:  Buckwheat
Family:  Polygonaceae
Author:  Moench.

Known Hazards:  This plant has caused photosensitivity in some people, only the dehusked grain is considered to be safe.

Mature Height:  1.5   Mature Width:  0.3

Habitat:  Waste ground as an escape from cultivation[17]. Its original habitat is obscure.

Cultivation Notes: A very easily grown plant, it prefers dry sandy soils but succeeds in most conditions including poor[57, 141, 171], heavy[18] or acid soils[141] and even sub-soils[160]. Prefers a cool moist climate, but it also succeeds in dry and arid regions[171]. Buckwheat is frequently cultivated for its edible seed and leaves, it can produce a seed crop in 100 days from sowing[141] and a crop of leaves in 8 weeks. There are some named varieties[183]. The seed ripens irregularly over a period of several weeks so it is difficult to harvest[141]. Plants have poor frost resistance but they are disease and insect resistant[166]. They inhibit the growth of winter wheat[18, 20, 201]. The flowers have a pleasant sweet honey scent[245] and are extremely attractive to bees and hoverflies[4, 171].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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