Fagopyrum esculentum
common buckwheat
Overview
Fagopyrum esculentum is an erect annual reaching 24-48 inches (60-120 cm), with hollow, often reddish, freely branching stems. The alternate leaves are heart- to arrow-shaped, 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) long, with smooth margins and pointed tips. Small five-parted flowers, white to pale pink, are borne in branched clusters and open within 4-6 weeks of sowing. The fruit is a three-sided (triangular) achene 0.16-0.24 inch (4-6 mm) long, ripening from green to brown or black. The whole cycle from seed to mature seed takes about 10-12 weeks. Growth is rapid and the dense canopy shades out many weeds. The shallow root system reaches little moisture in dry spells, so growth checks quickly under drought. The plant is killed by even light frost, which limits it to frost-free months, and its seed shatters readily at maturity, scattering before the whole crop ripens. Flowering and seed set continue together on the same plant until cold weather ends growth.
Native Range
Native to southwestern China, particularly the Yunnan region, where wild relatives of Fagopyrum spp. still occur. It was domesticated several thousand years ago and is now cultivated across temperate and subtropical regions worldwide.Suggested Uses
Grown as a grain (pseudocereal), a quick cover crop, and a green manure that suppresses weeds on fallow ground. The summer flowers are worked by honeybees and other insects. It also features in pollinator strips and short-season rotations.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 4'
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Bloom Information
Flowering begins 4-6 weeks after sowing and continues for several weeks until frost, typically June to September in temperate plantings. Flowers open in succession from the base of each cluster upward, so open flowers and developing seed occur together on one plant.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White to pale pinkFoliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 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
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Fagopyrum esculentum grows in full sun on a wide range of soils, including low-fertility and slightly acidic ground, at a soil pH of about 5.0-7.0. It needs moderate, steady moisture and tolerates only brief dry spells, since the shallow roots reach little water during drought. Sowing follows the last frost, once soil reaches about 50F (10C), and germination is quick in warm conditions. Little or no added nitrogen is needed, because excess nitrogen produces leafy growth at the expense of seed. Temperatures below 32F (0C) kill the plant, limiting the season to frost-free months. Seed ripens unevenly and shatters easily, dropping before the whole plant matures.Pruning
As a short-lived annual, Fagopyrum esculentum is not pruned. Grown as a cover crop, it is mown or turned into the soil at flowering, roughly 6 weeks after sowing, before seed forms and self-sows.✓ Toxicity
Non-toxicPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
direct sow
Direct Sow Timing
After the last frost, late spring to early summer, once soil reaches 50F (10C)
Days to Maturity
70–90 days
Plant Spacing
4 inches