Fagopyrum esculentum
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Fagopyrum fagopyrum
- Fagopyrum sagittatum
- Fagopyrum vulgare
- Polygonum fagopyrum
- Phonetic Spelling
- fah-goh-PY-rum es-kew-LEN-tum
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Buckwheat is a quick-growing edibile summer annual in the Polygonaceae family. Though not a legume, is an excellent cover crop. The seeds germinate quickly, within 3 to 4 days of sowing and when harvested are edbile as a grain. When densely planted it efectively supresses weeds and supports a variety of beneficial insects, including honeybees. The flowers appear quickly on new plants and are long-lasting in bouquets.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Fagopyrum
- Species:
- esculentum
- Family:
- Polygonaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern Tibet to China
- Wildlife Value:
- A minor source of food for large and small mammals and songbirds. A nectar source for honeybees and other beneficial insects.
- Edibility:
- Cooked seeds can be eaten as a cereal grain.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Edible
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 3-sided brown nutlet look like tiny pyramids
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small white with pink anthers fragrant in terminal or axillary clusters.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Arrowhead-shaped alternate leaves and swollen sheathes.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Hollow stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses