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Eriogonum cernuum - Nutt.

Common Name

Nodding Buckwheat

Family

Polygonaceae

USDA hardiness

5-10

Known Hazards

Use mature seeds only. Do not assume all similar buckwheats are equally documented as food.

Habitats

Western drylands and is included among Navajo-region buckwheats.

Range

W. Central Canada to W. & W. Central U.S.A.

Edibility Rating

(2 of 5)

Other Uses

(1 of 5)

Weed Potential

No

Medicinal Rating

(2 of 5)

Care (info)

Fully Hardy

Well drained soil

Moist Soil

Full sun


Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0

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Summary

Nodding buckwheat is a small annual seed plant of western drylands. Its main value is edible seed, and like many annual buckwheats, it may be inconspicuous in poor years but locally abundant after favorable moisture. It is not a leafy vegetable or root crop; its value is in the achenes. Nodding buckwheat, Eriogonum cernuum, belongs to the buckwheat family (Polygonaceae). It is an annual western wild buckwheat known for nodding flower clusters. It is generally suited to USDA Zones 5–10 as a dryland annual. Plants commonly grow about 10–60 cm tall and 10–40 cm wide.

Physical Characteristics

Eriogonum cernuum is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, Insects.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

E. cernuum subsp. typicum S.Stokes

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

The seeds are edible [2-3]. Edible Uses & Rating: Nodding buckwheat ranks as a moderate seed food where abundant. It is not a high-yield plant individually, but large colonies may provide useful quantities [2-3]. Taste, Processing & Kitchen Notes: The achenes can be toasted, boiled, or ground into meal. Bitterness or tannic notes are possible, especially if seed is immature or poorly processed. Toasting and mixing with other grains may improve flavor. Seasonality (Phenology): It flowers and seeds during the warm season, with timing dependent on rainfall and elevation. Safety & Cautions (Food Use): Use mature seeds only. Do not assume all similar buckwheats are equally documented as food [2-3]. Harvest & Processing Workflow: Gather dry seed heads promptly when achenes are mature. Dry, thresh, winnow, and cook or grind. Cultivar/Selection Notes: No known food cultivars. Look-Alikes & Confusion Risks: Annual Eriogonum species are difficult. Nodding flower clusters help, but mature structures and range are important [2-3]. Traditional/Indigenous Use Summary: Seeds of several annual buckwheats, including nodding buckwheat, were used by Native peoples in western North America [2-3].

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.

Eriogonum cernuum (Nodding Buckwheat) has a history of medicinal use, particularly among Native American tribes in the Southwest, such as the Navajo and Kayenta.Medicinal and Traditional Uses: Kidney Aid: An infusion (tea) made from the plant has been used to treat kidney diseases.Skin Care: It has been used to treat skin rashes and to alleviate red ant bites, often applied as a poultice of chewed leaves.Health Tonic: The plant has been used as a general tonic and antiseptic.Hair Care: It was used to promote hair growth and for cleansing.Ceremonial/Protective Use: The Crow nation used it as a powerful ceremonial plant to provide protection to its users.

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

Ecology & Wildlife: Provides nectar and small seeds in dryland annual communities. Rarely cultivated, but possible from seed in dry native plantings.

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Nodding buckwheat is a useful minor seed plant of drylands. Its practical value depends almost entirely on abundance and timing. Growing Conditions: Full sun, dry open soils, and seasonal moisture. Habitat & Range: It occurs in western drylands and is included among Navajo-region buckwheats. Size & Landscape Performance: A small annual suited more to wildland seed production than ornamental use. Cultivation (Horticulture): Rarely cultivated, but possible from seed in dry native plantings. Pests & Problems: Poor rainfall and seed shattering are the main practical issues. Identification & Habit: Annual, branching buckwheat with nodding flowering clusters, six tepals, and small achenes. Pollinators: Attracts small bees, flies, and other insects. Nodding buckwheat, Eriogonum cernuum, belongs to the buckwheat family (Polygonaceae). It is an annual western wild buckwheat known for nodding flower clusters. It is generally suited to USDA Zones 5–10 as a dryland annual. Plants commonly grow about 10–60 cm tall and 10–40 cm wide.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Nodding buckwheat, Eriogonum cernuum. Eriogonum cernuum subsp. typicum

Native Range

US. USA. Alberta, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

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.

Low.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not listed.

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Eriogonum alatum	Winged Buckwheat	Perennial	0.8	4-9		LM	N	DM	2	2	1
Eriogonum atrorubens	Red Wild Buckwheat, Red buckwheat	Perennial	1.0	0-0		LM	N	DM	1	0
Eriogonum baileyi	Bailey’s Buckwheat	Annual	0.5	6-10	F	LM	N	DM	2	2	1
Eriogonum corymbosum	Crispleaf Buckwheat	Shrub	0.3	3-9	S	LM	N	DM	1	2	3
Eriogonum davidsonii	Davidson’s Buckwheat	Annual	0.4	7-10	F	LM	N	DM	2	1	1
Eriogonum inflatum	Desert trumpet	Perennial	0.6	8-11	F	LM	N	DM	2	1	1
Eriogonum jamesii	Antelope Sage, James' buckwheat	Perennial	0.3	4-8		LM	N	DM	0	2
Eriogonum latifolium	Seaside Buckwheat	Perennial	0.6	7-10		LM	N	DM	2	1
Eriogonum longifolium	Longleaf Buckwheat	Perennial	1.0	-		LM	N	DM	1	1
Eriogonum microthecum	Slender Buckwheat, Alpine slender buckwheat, San Bernardino buckwheat, Johnston's buckwheat, Panamin	Shrub	0.3	5-9		LM	N	DM	1	1
Eriogonum plumatella	Yucca Buckwheat	Shrub	1.0	8-10	M	LM	N	DM	2	2	2
Eriogonum pusillum	Yellow Turbans, Puny buckwheat.	Annual	0.2	7-10	F	LM	N	DM	2	0	2
Eriogonum racemosum	Redroot Buckwheat	Perennial	0.6	5-8	F	LM	N	DM	2	2	2
Eriogonum rotundifolium	Roundleaf Buckwheat	Perennial	0.3	5-9	F	LM	N	DM	1	2	2
Eriogonum wrightii	Shrubby Buckwheat	Shrub	1.2	5-10	M	LM	N	DM	2	1	2

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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Author

Nutt.

Botanical References

Links / References

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