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Reference · Crops

Buckwheat family

Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is an annual plant species belonging to the Polygonaceae family. Unlike common cereals such as wheat or rye, buckwheat is a pseudocereal, meaning it produces seeds that are processed and consumed like grains but are botanically classified as fruits.

Main sections

Common bistort11 Atraphaxis6 Eriogonum6 Bistort3 Fallopia3 Buckwheat2 Buckwheat2 Calligonum2 Fallopia2 Antigonon1 Antigonon1 Brunnichia1 Chorizanthe1 Coccoloba1 Duma1 Enneatypus1
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What the section contains

Abyssinian dock Rumex abyssinicus Alexandra's rhubarb Rheum alexandrae Alpine dock Rumex alpinus Alpine dock Rumex arifolius Antigonon Antigonon Endl. 1 item Antigonon Antigonon 1 item Aquitanian sorrel Rumex aquitanicus Arrow-leaved dock Rumex sagittatus Arrow-leaved tearthumb Persicaria hastatosagittata Arrow-leaved tearthumb Persicaria sagittifolia Arrowleaf tearthumb Persicaria sagittata Atraphaxis Atraphaxis 6 items Ayan knotweed Polygonum ajanense Azorean dock Rumex azoricus Bistort Bistorta (L.) Scop. 3 items Bloodvein sorrel Rumex sanguineus Brazilian dock Rumex brasiliensis Bristly knotweed Polygonum setosum Brown's dock Rumex brownii Brunnichia Brunnichia 1 item Buckwheat Fagopyrum Mill. 2 items Buckwheat Fagopyrum 2 items Bull-headed dock Rumex bucephalophorus Calligonum Calligonum L. 2 items Calligonum azel Calligonum azel Canaigre Rumex hymenosepalus Canary dock Rumex lunaria Cedar knotweed Polygonum cedrorum Chorizanthe Chorizanthe 1 item Coccoloba Coccoloba 1 item Coccoloba acuminata Coccoloba acuminata Coccoloba acupulcensis Coccoloba acupulcensis Coccoloba ascendens Coccoloba ascendens Coccoloba barbadensis Coccoloba barbadensis Coccoloba caravellae Coccoloba caravellae Coccoloba dussii Coccoloba dussii Coccoloba krugii Coccoloba krugii Coccoloba mollis Coccoloba mollis Coccoloba pubescens Coccoloba pubescens Coccoloba rugosa Coccoloba rugosa Coccoloba schiedeana Coccoloba schiedeana Coccoloba swartzii Coccoloba swartzii Coccoloba venosa Coccoloba venosa Common bistort Bistorta 11 items Creeping smartweed Persicaria caespitosa Creeping Smartweed Polygonum caespitosum Crested dock Rumex cristatus Currant rhubarb Rheum ribes Cyprus sorrel Rumex cyprius Diverse-leaved sorrel Rumex heterophyllus Duma Duma 1 item Enneatypus Enneatypus 1 item Equisetum-leaved knotweed Polygonum equisetiforme Eriogonum Eriogonum 6 items Fallopia Fallopia Adans. 2 items Fallopia Fallopia 3 items Few-leaved dock Rumex paucifolius Fiddle dock Rumex pulcher Field dock Rumex pseudonatronatus French sorrel Rumex scutatus

Buckwheat family

The plant originates from the mountainous regions of Central Asia, specifically the Yunnan province in China and the Himalayas. Today, it is cultivated worldwide, particularly in countries with cooler climates, as it has a relatively short growing cycle that fits well into intensive farming rotations.

Botanically, it is characterized by an upright, often red-tinged stem and triangular leaves. It is a highly sensitive plant regarding environmental conditions, particularly temperature fluctuations, which dictate the success of the growing season and the quality of the harvested grain.

Cultivation requires careful planning regarding sowing dates to avoid late spring frosts. Buckwheat is not highly demanding regarding soil fertility; it grows well in acidic and even poor soils where other crops might struggle. However, it requires consistent moisture during the critical flowering stage.

The crop is highly valued for its nutritional profile, being rich in magnesium, fiber, and resistant starch. Additionally, buckwheat is widely recognized in agriculture as an exceptional honey crop, with beekeepers often placing hives near fields to improve pollination rates and produce unique dark honey.

  • Susceptible to Botrytis blight.
  • Common pests: aphids and wireworms.
  • Requirement for bee pollination for yield stability.
  • Short vegetative period (approx. 70–85 days).
  • High market demand for gluten-free products.