Polygonum fgopyrum
Synonyms: Fagopyrum esculentum
Family: Polygonaceae

This annual plant has been cultivated for at least 1500 years in China and was introduced to Europe in the 15th century. It may have originated in northern India. Often found naturalized, it is nevertheless grown as a crop. Its good-quality flour is used for baking cakes, bread and crumpets, and in Japan for making dough noodles and dumplings. Beer is sometimes brewed from the grain. It also has a long history of use in herbal medicines. It has small, triangular leaves and clusters of fragrant, white flowers near the top of the plant, which grows to about 60 cm (24 in) high.

Cultivation

Buckwheat grows well on poor soils and has a relatively short growing season. Seed should be planted in spring and the crop harvested in autumn.

Climate

Grow as a seasonal annual during warmer months.