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Fagopyrum esculentum
  • Buckwheat

an annual member of the Fagopyrum genus in the family Polygonaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Green manure
    Green manure
    There are no details available for this function.
  • Soil builder
    Soil builder
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • very acid,acid,neutral,alkaline
    Very acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • ?
    Unknown
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Fagopyrum esculentum has 0 edible uses listed
Fagopyrum esculentum has 0 material uses listed
Fagopyrum esculentum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

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

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves - raw or cooked like spinach[4, 183, K]. Not that wonderful raw, they improve somewhat with cooking[K]. The leaves are rich in rutin[1] (see below for more details) and so are a very healthy addition to the diet[K]. Seed - raw or cooked. A nutty flavour, though it has a somewhat gritty texture[K]. The seed can be soaked overnight in warm water then sprouted for a few days and added to salads[2]. It can also be ground into a powder and used as a cereal[3][4][5] when it can be made into pancakes, noodles, breads etc or be used as a thickening agent in soups etc[6][2]. Rich in vitamin B6[7]. An excellent beer can be brewed from the grain[8].

Leaves

Unknown use

Unknown part

Rutin

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

A very good green manure plant, it can be used to reclaim badly degraded soils and subsoils[9][10][11][12].

A blue dye is obtained from the stems[13][14].

A brown dye is obtained from the flowers[4].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Buckwheat is a bitter but pleasant tasting herb that is frequently used medicinally because the leaves are a good source of rutin[15]. Rutin is useful in the treatment of a wide range of circulatory problems, it dilates the blood vessels, reduces capillary permeability and lowers blood pressure[15][16].

The leaves and shoots of flowering plants are acrid, astringent and vasodilator[4][17][18]. It is used internally in the treatment of high blood pressure, gout, varicose veins, chilblains, radiation damage etc[4][17][18]. It is best used in conjunction with vitamin C since this aids absorption[16]. Often combined with lime flowers (Tilia species), it is a specific treatment for haemorrhage into the retina[16]. The leaves and flowering stems are harvested as the plant begins to flower and are dried for later use[15]. They should be stored in the dark because the active ingredients rapidly degrade in the light[15]. Some caution should be exercised in the use of this herb because it has been known to cause light-sensitive dermatitis[15]. A poultice made from the seeds has been used for restoring the flow of milk in nursing mothers[4]. An infusion of the herb has been used in the treatment of erysipelas (an acute infectious skin disease)[4][8].

A homeopathic remedy has been made from the leaves[5]. It is used in the treatment of eczema and liver disorders[5].

Unknown part

Acrid
Astringent
Galactogogue
Vasodilator

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Green manure


Soil builder

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow from the middle of spring to early summer in situ. The seed usually germinates in 5 days[19]. The earlier sowings are for a seed or leaf crop whilst the later sowings are used mainly for leaf crops or green manure.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Fagopyrum esculentum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

A very easily grown plant, it prefers dry sandy soils but succeeds in most conditions including poor[13][17][1], heavy[10] or acid soils[17] and even sub-soils[7]. Prefers a cool moist climate, but it also succeeds in dry and arid regions[1].

Buckwheat is frequently cultivated for its edible seed and leaves, it can produce a seed crop in 100 days from sowing[17] and a crop of leaves in 8 weeks. There are some named varieties[2]. The seed ripens irregularly over a period of several weeks so it is difficult to harvest[17]. Plants have poor frost resistance but they are disease and insect resistant[20]. They inhibit the growth of winter wheat[10][11][12].

The flowers have a pleasant sweet honey scent[21] and are extremely attractive to bees and hoverflies[4][1].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Fagopyrum esculentum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Fagopyrum esculentum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Fagopyrum esculentum
Genus
Fagopyrum
Family
Polygonaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Medicinal uses
[15][16][4][17][18][8][5]
Material uses & Functions
[9][10][11][12][13][14][4]
Botanic
[22][23]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Green manure, Soil builder
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
annual
Growth Rate
vigorous
Mature Size
1.5 x 0.3 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Bees, Flies
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
monoecious

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"image:Fagopyrum esculentum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Fagopyrum esculentum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Fagopyrum esculentum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


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References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.74.84.9 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.2 Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987. ()
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (1979-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.2 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.112.2 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.113.2 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
  14. ? 14.014.1 Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-090-x (1975-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.415.5 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.116.216.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
  17. ? 17.017.117.217.317.417.517.6 Carruthers. S. P. (Editor) Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading ISBN 0704909820 (1986-00-00)
  18. ? 18.018.118.2 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
  19. ? Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
  20. ? Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent (1990-00-00)
  21. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
  22. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
  23. ? Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

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Facts about "Fagopyrum esculentum"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyPolygonaceae +
Belongs to genusFagopyrum +
Functions asGreen manure + and Soil builder +
Has common nameBuckwheat +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has edible partLeaves +, Unknown part + and Seeds +
Has edible useUnknown use + and Rutin +
Has environmental toleranceDrought +
Has fertility typeBee + and Flies +
Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
Has growth rateVigorous +
Has imageFagopyrum esculentum0.jpg +
Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useDye +
Has mature height1.5 +
Has mature width0.3 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAcrid +, Astringent +, Galactogogue + and Vasodilator +
Has primary imageFagopyrum esculentum0.jpg +
Has search namefagopyrum esculentum + and x +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceVery acid +, Acid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
Has soil teheavy clayture preferenceHeavy clay +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameFagopyrum esculentum +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +