Buckwheat

Fagopyrum esculentum Moench

Family: Polygonaceae

Grain
Cover Crop
Annual
Fast-Growing

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to people (low severity)Pets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Human edibility

Edible

Edible parts

seed/groat (as buckwheat flour, groats, or soba noodles)

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

none specifically documented beyond ordinary food preparation

Hazard type

food allergy (documented in case reports; not one of FDA's nine major US allergens), occupational photosensitivity/respiratory risk during crop handling (Cornell)

Hazard route

ingestion (allergy); inhalation/dermal (occupational handling of the crop, not eating the food)

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

Toxic to dogs, cats and horses: ASPCA's Buckwheat page covers the whole genus Fagopyrum (toxic principle fagopyrin; it can cause photosensitization). See the human safety section for the separate food-safety picture.

Patent / trademark

not applicable

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: Not checked yet
Water needs: moderate to high
Mature size: Upright summer annual; specific height not given by sources used.
Where it comes from: Southeast Asia; widely cultivated as a grain crop and cover crop worldwide.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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