Tartarian Buckwheat

Fagopyrum tataricum

Physical Characteristics

Fagopyrum tataricum is a ANNUAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). It is in flower from July to September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - Himalayas.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Oil Seed Edible Uses: Oil Leaves - raw or cooked[183, 272]. Acceptable raw when added in small quantities to mixed chopped salads, otherwise the leaves are much better cooked[K]. They are rich in rutin. Seed - cooked as a cereal[2, 46, 100, 105, 272].The seed can also be sprouted and used in salads, or ground into a powder and used as a cereal[183]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[177, 183].

Medicinal Uses

Astringent The bark is astringent[240].

Known Hazards

The plant has caused photosensitivity in some people, the dehusked grain is said to be safe.