Buckwheat is an erect, much-branched annual plant with hollow stems; it can grow from 60 - 120cm tall.The seed of buckwheat is an important subsistence food in parts of Asia, where the plant has a history of cultivation going back at least 1,000 years. The seed has gained acceptance as a healh food, whilst the plant also has edible leaves, some important traditional medicinal actions and supplies a dye. It is often grown on a garden scale, and also commercially on a small scale, for its edible leaves and seeds, whilst it is also commonly grown as a green manure crop and to restore worn-out soils
