Buckwheat
WHAT IS BUCKWHEAT?
Buckwheat refers to a variety of plants in the dicot family Polygonaceae: the Eurasian genus Fagopyrum, the North American genus Eriogonum, and the Northern Hemisphere genus Fallopia. Either of the latter two may be referred to as wild buckwheat.
The crop plant, common buckwheat, is Fagopyrum esculentum. Tartary buckwheat (F. tataricum Gaertn.) or “bitter buckwheat” is also used as a crop, but it is much less common. Despite the common name and the grain-like use of the crop, buckwheat is not a cereal or grass. It is called a pseudocereal to emphasize that it is not related to wheat.
Buckwheat plants are fast growers, producing seed in about 6 weeks and growing about 30 inches (75 cm) tall.
This genus has five-petaled flowers arranged in spikes or panicles.
Articles on BUCKWHEAT
in INFORMED FARMERS
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Common Buckwheat - Growing information
Common Buckwheat - Pests, Diseases and Weeds
