Fagopyrum dibotrys

(D. Don) Hara

Perennial buckwheat, Notch-seeded buckwheat

Polygonaceae Edible: Leaves, Seeds, Vegetable, Root 579 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

A perennial reaching 1 m tall by 2 m wide with fast growth rate. Frost tender, flowering in September. Monoecious flowers pollinated by bees and flies. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils including poor nutritional soils with good drainage. Grows in semi-shade or full sun, adapting to dry or moist conditions. Suitable for mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline soils.

Description

A erect herb. It is hairy. It grows about 1 m high. The main root is big and red and has many branch roots. The leaves are 5-11 cm long by 4.5-13 cm wide. They are triangular, or arrowhead shaped and taper to the tip. The base is heart shaped and there are hairs along the veins. The flowers are white. They occur in the axils of leaves and at the ends of branches. The fruit is a red nut. It is 3 angled. NB Probably now Fagopyrum acutatum

Edible Uses

Leaves can be eaten raw or cooked — boiled or steamed and used like spinach. One report rates them as excellent, though they carry a distinct bitterness, especially when raw. They are rich in rutin, making them a healthy dietary addition. The seed can be sprouted and eaten raw, or cooked and used as a cereal. Dried and ground into a powder, it works as a thickening agent in soups. The seed is rich in vitamin B6, though it is not freely produced in Britain.

Traditional Uses

The tender shoots and leaves are boiled and eaten as a vegetable. They are also cooked in stir fries. The seeds are cooked and eaten or ground into flour. The root is used in soup.

Medicinal Uses

The whole plant is anodyne, anthelmintic, antiphlogistic, carminative, depurative, and febrifuge, and it stimulates blood circulation. A decoction is used for traumatic injuries, lumbago, menstrual irregularities, purulent infections, and snake and insect bites. A decoction of the roots specifically treats insect bites, dysmenorrhoea, inflammation, lumbago, snakebite, and traumatic injuries. The leaves are rich in rutin, which acts as a capillary tonic and is antioedemic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and hypotensive. Rutin also inhibits carcinogenesis and provides protection against radiation.

Distribution

A tropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 1500-3000 m altitude. It grows by roads, in valleys and in shade. In Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, NW India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Singapore, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a greenhouse. Prick out seedlings when large enough to handle and plant into permanent positions in summer. Division is straightforward at almost any point during the growing season, though it is best avoided in early spring when young growth is vulnerable to late frosts. Divisions can be planted directly into permanent positions.

Other Uses

None known.

Other Information

Leaves are sold in local markets.

Notes

There are about 6 (15) Fagopyrum species. They grow in temperate places. It is used in medicine.

Synonyms

Fagopyrum cymosum (Trev.) Miesn.Polygonum dibotrys D. DonPolygonum cymosum TreviranusPolygonum emarginatum Roxb.Polygonum triangulare Wall.ex Meisn.Probably now Fagopyrum acutatum

Also Known As

An-bawng, Banbhande, Banfafra, Banogal, Banogol, Ban paphra, Ban phapar, Ban phaper, Barbande, Buckwheat, Da goe, Eqiaobie, Geye, Hechung, Hhaoqqail, Hukku, Ja-rain, Jarian, alya, KanKandya, Luo zhuo guo, Pabong, Pa ge mong, Phaphra, Phopra, Pre, Pullip-bi, Saidiku, Sambodom bong, Shakuchiri-soba, Talkyung, Tawu, Titefaper, Titi-phapar, Wanao, Yang bu rai

References (40)

Agarwal, R. & Chandra, V., 2019, Diversity of wild edible plants in the Mandal-Chopta forest, Uttarakhand. Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2019; 7(1): 89-92
Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 218 (As Fagopyrum cymosum)
Anderson, E. F., 1993, Plants and people of the Golden Triangle. Dioscorides Press. p 211
Campbell, C.G., 1979, Buckwheat, in Simmonds, N.W., (ed), Crop Plant Evolution. Longmans. London. p 235 (As Fagopyrum cymosum)
Campbell, C.G., 1979, Buckwheat, in Simmonds, N.W., (ed), Crop Plant Evolution. Longmans. London. p 235 (As Fagopyrum emarginatum)

Show all 40 references

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