3. Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn., Fruct. Sem. Pl. 2: 182.t. 119, f. 6. 1791; Hook.f., l.c. 55; Losinsk. in Kom., Fl. URSS 703. 1936; D.A.Webb in Tutin et al., Fl. Europ.1: 81. 1964; Kitamura, l.c.; Rech.f. & Schiman-Czeika, l.c. 83; R. R.Stewart. l.c. 202; Bhopal & Chaudhri in Pak. Syst. 1(2): 88. 1977; Munshi & Javeid, l.c. 84; Grierson & D.G.Long, l.c. (Fig.18, A-D).
Vern.: Brau, Chin, Ugal.
Polygonum tataricum L., Sp. Pl. 364. 1753.
Annual, glabrous, commonly green herb, up to 1 m tall, stem glabrous or slightly pubescent. Leaves petioled, petiole 0.5-6 cm long, the upper short and lower long petioled; lamina broadly triangular-cordate, triangular-hastate or sagittate-cordate, acuminate, 2-8 x 1.2-5 cm. Ochrea hyaline, slightly truncate, 5-7 mm long, brown. Inflorescence axillary and terminal, pedunculate, corymbose cyme. Flowers white or pink. Perianth segments 5-partite, subequal, oblong-ovate, obtuse, entire, 1.3-1.7 x c. 0.5-1. Stamens 8, alternating with rounded glands, filaments unequal with dorsifixed anthers. Ovary 3-angled; styles 3, free, half the length of the ovary; stigmas capitate. Nuts deeply 3-angled, angles rounded in the upper part, and wrinkled and somewhat crenate in the lower part, blackish-brown, 4-6 mm long, 1.5-2 mm broad, narrowed above.
Fl. Per.: May-August.
Type: Habitat in tataria, Central Asia, Herb. Linn. 510. 36 (LINN).
Cultivated as a pseudo cereal in northern areas, Kashmir, particularly at higher elevation, up to 4500 m. This common buckwheat sometimes known as ‘Duckwheat’, is hardier than Fagopyrum esculentum, yields flour of poor quality. The flour is of darker colour and bitter taste; Distribution: Central Europe, Central Asia, India, China, Japan, Xizang, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
