Perennial buckwheat, Notch-seeded buckwheat
Fagopyrum dibotrys

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A erect herb. It is hairy. It grows about 1 m high. The main root is big and red and has many branch roots. The leaves are 5-11 cm long by 4.5-13 cm wide. They are triangular, or arrowhead shaped and taper to the tip. The base is heart shaped and there are hairs along the veins. The flowers are white. They occur in the axils of leaves and at the ends of branches. The fruit is a red nut. It is 3 angled. NB Probably now Fagopyrum acutatum

There are about 6 (15) Fagopyrum species. They grow in temperate places. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 1500-3000 m altitude. It grows by roads, in valleys and in shade. In Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, NW India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Singapore, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The tender shoots and leaves are boiled and eaten as a vegetable. They are also cooked in stir fries. The seeds are cooked and eaten or ground into flour. The root is used in soup.

Leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, vegetable, root

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

An-bawng, Banbhande, Banfafra, Banogal, Banogol, Ban paphra, Ban phapar, Ban phaper, Barbande, Buckwheat, Da goe, Eqiaobie, Geye, Hechung, Hhaoqqail, Hukku, Ja-rain, Jarian, alya, KanKandya, Luo zhuo guo, Pabong, Pa ge mong, Phaphra, Phopra, Pre, Pullip-bi, Saidiku, Sambodom bong, Shakuchiri-soba, Talkyung, Tawu, Titefaper, Titi-phapar, Wanao, Yang bu rai

Synonyms

Fagopyrum cymosum (Trev.) Miesn.; Polygonum dibotrys D. Don; Polygonum cymosum Treviranus; Polygonum emarginatum Roxb.; Polygonum triangulare Wall.ex Meisn.; Probably now Fagopyrum acutatum