Fagopyrum esculentum Moench
buckwheat
Polygonaceae (Buckwheat family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
buckwheat
Polygonaceae (Buckwheat family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
Species Information
General:
Annual herb from a taproot; stems erect or sprawling, simple, several, 20-60 cm tall, smooth to hairy, hollow, reddish at maturity.
Leaves:
Basal leaves egg- to arrowhead-shaped, the blades 3-10 cm long, the stalks up to 1/2 as long as the blades; stem leaves similar, reduced, the upper ones unstalked.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of dense axillary and terminal, several- to many-flowered racemes; perianths white to pinkish, the 5 smooth segments 2-3 mm long; stamens 8.
Fruits:
Achenes, 3-angled, 5-7 mm long, smooth, extending well beyond the persistent perianths.
Illustration
If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.
Illustration Source: The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia
USDA Species Characteristics
Flower Colour:
White
Blooming Period:
Mid Summer
According to the USDA, this species is a known allelopath.
Source: The USDA
Habitat and Range
Mesic to dry railroad beds, fields and waste places in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; rare in S BC; introduced from Asia.Status Information
Synonyms
Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Fagopyrum fagopyrum (L.) Karst.
Fagopyrum sagittatum Gilib.
Fagopyrum vulgare Hill
Polygonum fagopyrum L.