Fagopyrum spp.

buckwheat

Temperate and montane Asia (centre of diversity in south-western China)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant

Overview

Fagopyrum spp. is a genus of about 15 species of annual and perennial herbs in the knotweed family, Polygonaceae, native to temperate and montane Asia, with the centre of diversity in south-western China. The genus includes the cultivated grain crops common buckwheat, F. esculentum, and Tartary buckwheat, F. tataricum, both fast-growing annuals. Plants form erect, often reddish, branching stems 1-4 feet (30-120 cm) tall, with alternate heart- to arrow-shaped leaves. Small five-parted flowers, white to pink, are carried in branched clusters from the leaf axils and stem tips through summer and are visited heavily by bees. Each flower is followed by a single three-angled seed, the buckwheat grain, which is milled into flour and groats despite the plants not being grasses. Buckwheat matures quickly, often setting seed within 10 to 12 weeks of sowing, and is grown as a grain, a cover crop, and a nectar source. Large amounts of the fresh green plant can cause light-sensitivity in pale-skinned grazing animals. The genus grows on a wide range of soils and tolerates poor ground but is cut down by frost. It does not persist where summers are cold and short.

Native Range

Fagopyrum spp. is native to temperate and montane Asia, with the greatest diversity in south-western China; the cultivated buckwheats are now grown across temperate regions worldwide.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a grain and pseudocereal crop, as a fast summer cover crop and green manure, and as a bee forage plant. The quick growth fills gaps between main crops and suppresses weeds. Buckwheat flour and groats are used in a range of foods.

How to Identify

Recognised as erect, often red-stemmed herbs with alternate heart- to arrow-shaped leaves and branched clusters of small white to pink five-parted flowers. The fruit is a single three-angled seed, sharply edged, brown to grey at maturity. Common buckwheat has larger, smoother seeds than the smaller, ridged seeds of Tartary buckwheat.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 4'

Width/Spread6" - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer

Flowering begins about four to six weeks after sowing and continues through summer until frost, with successive clusters of white to pink flowers. The flowers open over a long period and are a major nectar source for bees. Seed ripens unevenly over several weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to pink

Foliage Description

green, often with red-tinged stems

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Sow seed directly in late spring once the soil has warmed, in full sun on well-drained ground; buckwheat tolerates poor and slightly acidic soils and needs little fertiliser. Soil pH from about 5.0 to 7.0 suits the crop. Keep the soil evenly moist during germination and early growth, after which the plants are fairly drought tolerant. Plants grow quickly and shade out weeds, which makes them a useful smother crop. Frost kills the plants, so sowing is timed for the frost-free season. As a cover crop, buckwheat is cut or turned in at flowering before seed sets.

Pruning

No pruning is needed for this short-season annual. As a green manure, the whole plant is cut or mown at flowering and dug into the soil. Where grown for grain, plants are left until the seed ripens, then harvested whole.

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

direct sow

Direct Sow Timing

late spring after last frost

Days to Maturity

70–90 days

Plant Spacing

4 inches

Companion Planting

Good Companions