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Fagopyrum dibotrys - (D.Don.)Hara.

Common Name Perennial Buckwheat
Family Polygonaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Forests and cultivated areas from Pakistan to S.W. China, 1500 - 3400 metres[51]. Found alongside ditches on shady damp and fertile soils in China[147].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Fagopyrum dibotrys Perennial Buckwheat


Fagopyrum dibotrys Perennial Buckwheat

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Fagopyrum dibotrys is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 2 m (6ft) at a fast rate.
It is frost tender. It is in flower in 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 heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

F. cymosum. (Trev.)Meissn. Polygonum chinense. P. dibotrys.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses: Rutin

Leaves - raw or cooked[105, 160, 272]. Boiled or steamed and used like spinach[183]. Of excellent quality according to one report[2], but we have been less than impressed by the flavour, which has a distinct bitterness especially when eaten raw[K]. The leaves are rich in rutin (see below for details of its uses) and so they do make a healthy addition to the diet[K]. Seed - it can be sprouted and eaten raw, or cooked and used as a cereal[4]. Dried and ground into a powder, it can serve as a thickening agent in soups etc. The seed is rich in vitamin B6. Unfortunately, it is not freely produced in Britain[2].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anodyne  Anthelmintic  Antiinflammatory  Antiphlogistic  Antispasmodic  Cancer  Carminative  Depurative  
Febrifuge  Hypotensive

The whole plant is anodyne, anthelmintic, antiphlogistic, carminative, depurative and febrifuge. It stimulates blood circulation[147]. A decoction is used in the treatment of traumatic injuries, lumbago, menstrual irregularities, purulent infections, snake and insect bites[147]. A decoction of the roots is used in the treatment of insect bites, dysmenorrhoea, inflammation, lumbago, snakebite and traumatic injuries[218]. The leaves are rich in rutin which is a capillary tonic, antioedemic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and hypotensive[218]. Rutin also inhibits carcinogenesis and protects against radiation[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A very tolerant and easily grown plant, it prefers dry sandy soils but succeeds in most conditions including poor, heavy or acid soils and even sub-soils. Prefers a good soil in partial shade[187], growing very well in woodland conditions[K]. The dormant plant is hardy to about -20°c[187], though the growing plant is frost tender[K]. It is often excited into growth quite early in the year if the weather is mild, and will then be cut back by the first frost. It usually regrows quickly from the base[K]. Perennial buckwheat is occasionally cultivated for its edible seed, though this is not produced as abundantly as in the annual members of this genus[K]. Our plants flower in late summer and early autumn, and have not as yet produced any seed. Since all our plants come originally from one seedling, it is quite possible that the plant is self-sterile[K]. There is at least one named variety, selected for its ornamental value. 'Variegata' has variegated leaves[200]. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is fleshy. Thick or swollen - fibrous or tap root [2-1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division is very easy at almost any time in the growing season, though it is best avoided in early spring because the young growth can be damaged by late frosts. The divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Fagopyrum esculentumBuckwheatAnnual1.5 6-12 FLMHNDM434
Fagopyrum spp.Perennial BuckwheatPerennial1.0 5-10 FLMHSNM432
Fagopyrum tataricumTartarian BuckwheatAnnual0.8 0-0  LMHNDM310

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(D.Don.)Hara.

Botanical References

51266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Dr. Shalabh   Wed Jan 5 09:50:14 2005

dear i have been working on the tissue culture of fago. along with my two coworkers shashank and amit for the last one year. we have succeded in getting callus and plantlets i haope that you will be in contact with us for exchange of information thanking you Dr. Shalabh Ghaziabad India

zheng-zhong bai   Fri May 21 10:34:18 2004

I am a Ph.D. student of ShenYang Pharmaceutical University .Now I am studying the Fagopyrum Cymosum(buckwheat) extract and its pharmacy as my Ph.D. paper. I found the information about Perennial buckwheat in your web page. I need more information of Perennial buckwheat ,and I could cooperat with the people who interest the Perennial buckwheat . I can collect the Fagopyrum Cymosum(buckwheat) herb for you,and do some basal study . I work at China Heilongjiang provencial Institude of Drug Control. My name is Zhengzhong Bai,you can contect with me. 2004.5.21 ??? ??????????????? ?????? 2004.5.21 Mail Code: 150001 Fax:0451-53644463 Tel:0451-53638792-8206(office)

[email protected]   Thu Feb 2 2006

I'm very enjoyed about your page. Bit it seems to be very difficult to get some seed. Have you an idea where I can get it Sincerly yours Cornelia Nicolay-Danisch, Germany

rukhama   Thu Jan 7 2010

I'm a student of ms botany from lahore college for women university. i've got an assignment regarding genus polygonum. your page helped me alot. thank u...

   Aug 23 2017 12:00AM

Plant is vigorous and quite invasive in our garden on sandy soil in Manchester. It produces no seed and while the young leaves can be added in moderation to salads it is of little apparent value otherwise. I would certainly avoid it!

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