Buckwheat, Japanese buckwheat, Silverhull buckwheat
Fagopyrum esculentum

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

An upright annual herb up to 1 m high. It spreads to 1 m across. It has angular hollow stems. These are erect and branching. Leaves are heart shaped or triangular and small. It has groups of white or pink flowers. These have a smell. They occur in clusters at the ends of branches. Fruit are small and 3 angled. The plants are not grasses but the seeds are normally grouped with other grain crops.

The plant contains rutin useful for blood conditions. The plant inhibits the germination of other seeds for a period of time. Seeds are 11% protein. It is insect pollinated.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It can be grown at high altitudes in the tropics. It will grow on poor soils. It prefers rich soils and a protected sunny position. It can grow in acid soils. It is resistant to frost but damaged by drought. In Nepal it grows between 1000-2500 m altitude. It can grow up to 4,400 m altitude. In Uttar Pradesh it grows up to 3000 m altitude. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Central Africa, Central Asia, China (country/location of origin), Congo DR, Cuba, Denmark, East Africa, Ecuador, England, Ethiopia, Europe, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Korea N, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Madagascar, Manchuria, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Moldova, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Reunion, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, Siberia, Sikkim, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet, Uganda, Ukraine, USA, Vietnam, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The seeds are used mainly for flour and stock feed. Seeds are bitter. If they are eaten in large amounts they can produce an unpleasant skin disorder. The seeds are eaten in porridge and biscuits etc. The seeds can be made into flour and eaten in pancakes, noodles and breads or for thickening soups and gravies. Seeds can be soaked overnight then sprouted and eaten. The tender leaves and shoots are cooked and eaten. The young leaves can be stored for 4-5 days after harvest.

It is a commonly cultivated food plant. It is sold in local markets. Nine countries produce thousands of tons.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves, flowers

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Seeds usually germinate in 5 days. It has a very short growing period from sowing to maturity. It can produce a crop of leaves in 8 weeks and seeds in 12 weeks. Seed ripen irregularly over several weeks making harvesting difficult. Under cool conditions plants flower in 7-9 months. Commercial grain yields in Australia have been up to 2.5 tonnes/ha. In India yields of 600-800 kg/ha are achieved.

Its other names

Local names

Al-Hintta, Al-Swdaa, B lei, Brank, Bro, Buchweizen, Chutia lofa, Daran, Dayat, Dhemsi sak, Dongthe, Doron, Fafra, Fagopiro, Gamrus, Grano saraceno, Helangala, Ka-la, Koti, Kotu, Kyoubaku, Lompuk, Mach ba-goc, Mariwo, Memil, Mithe phaper, Navadna ajda, Notch-seeded buckwheat, Obul, Ogla, Ogli, Oogal, Phanpar, Phapar, Phaphar, Phaphara, Phaphra, Qiao mai, Sagad, Saracen, Sarrasin, Shari-mam, Soba, Tian qiao mai, Titaphapur, Trigo-sarraceno, Varimbazahamainty, Wakha-yendem

Synonyms

Fagopyrum cereale Raf.; Fagopyrum sagittatum Gilib. [Invalid]; Fagopyrum vulgare Hill, nom. inval.; Polygonum emarginatum Gilib.; Polygonum fagopyrum L.; and others