Buckwheat
Family Polygonaceae
Fagopyrum esculentum (= Fagopurum sagittatum), buckwheat (F. esculentum 1) (F. esculentum 2), is an erect annual herb, up to 1 m high, with alternate sagittate leaves, tapering to the point, 5-7 cm long; and pinkish-white flowers in terminal cymes. The fruit is an achene, about 6 mm long.
The name buckwheat is probably derived from the German ‘Buchweizen’ , meaning ‘beech wheat’ , because of the resemblance of the fruit with beechnuts and the use of it as a cereal.
Distribution and use
Buckwheat is a native of Central Asia and came to Europe during the Middle Ages. Today buckwheat is mainly cultivated in Russia. It is used as a pseudo-cereal for making bread, pancakes and porridge. It is also grown as a bee plant and as a fodder. Buckwheat bread is important for patients with coeliakie, who cannot agree with gluten. Rutin, a glucoside used in the treatment of hypertension, is obtained from the leaves and flowers.