Fagopyrum dibotrys - Perennial Buckwheat

Family:	Polygonaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Width:	2
Synonyms:	F. cymosum. (Trev.)Meissn. Polygonum chinense. P. dibotrys.
Range:	E. Asia - China, Japan, Himalayas.

Fagopyrum dibotrys (Perennial Buckwheat) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m and a width of 2m . It has a fast growth rate. It has a hardness rating of 0and is quite resiliant to frost.
Perennial Buckwheat will flower in March. The flowers from this plant are monoecious (both sexes are found on the plant but each flower is either male or female) and they are pollinated by Bees, flies

Soil Information

Perennial Buckwheat will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Perennial Buckwheat prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Perennial Buckwheat can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Forests and cultivated areas from Pakistan to S.W. China, 1500 - 3400m[51]. Found alongside ditches on shady damp and fertile soils in China[147].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds

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].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 4/5
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].

• Leaves -
• Rutin - often used as a food supplement.
• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
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].

• Anodyne - Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.
• Anthelmintic - Expels parasites from the gut.
• Antiinflammatory - Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.
• Antiphlogistic - Reduces inflammation.
• Antispasmodic - Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
• Cancer - Used in the treatment of cancer.
• Carminative - Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
• Depurative - Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Hypotensive - Reduces blood pressure, it is used in the treatment of high blood pressure

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.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

'' - No entries have been made for this species as yet.

References

Flowers of the Himalayas.
Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
Author: Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
Rating:
Publisher : A very readable and good pocket guide (if you have a very large pocket!) to many of the wild plants in the Himalayas. Gives many examples of plant uses.
Date of Publication : 1984

Flora of China

Author:
Rating: http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher : On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.
Date of Publication : 1994

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