Summer
Volume 3, Issue 2
2012
From the Ground Up A Gardening and Native Plants Quarterly
Colorado State University Extension-Pueblo County 701 Court Street · Suite C · Pueblo, CO 81003 · 719-583-6566 · coopext_pueblo@mail.colostate.edu FABULOUS FAMILIES
POLYGONACEAE OR BUCKWHEAT FAMILY
by Orla O‘Callaghan, Master Gardener, 2005, and Native Plant Master, 2009
The Polygonaceae or Buckwheat family is a relatively small family of plants, consisting of about 1200 species worldwide. It is an important plant family to know because some species are very useful to humans while others are problematic weeds. While most buckwheats are herbaceous perennials, some are annuals, vines, shrubs or trees. For example, there are 25 species of Buckwheat in the genus Triplaris that are trees that are used for lumber. As a family, buckwheats are usually non-woody herbaceous perennials with swollen nodes or joints on the stems. Polygonaceae means "many knees." Buckwheats usually have alternate, simple, entire leaves with a pair of fused sheathing stipules (ochrea). The flowers are typically in spikes or clusters, and consist of small radically symmetrical flowers with 3 to 6 colored petal-like sepals, but no true petals. The ovary is superior. Seeds are brown or black upon maturity and are triangular or lens shaped, sometimes with wings. Some members of Buckwheats are used for food: Rheum rhabarbarum, Rhubarb; Rumex acetosa, Common Sorrel, the young leaves of which are eaten in salads or as a potherb; and both Fagopyrum esculentum, Japanese Buckwheat, and Fagopyrum tataricum, Tartary Buckwheat, which are pseudo-cereals whose seeds are ground into a dark colored flour that is rich in flavonoids. Some buckwheats are cultivated ornamentals that would be welcome additions to your garden. Eriogonum umbellatum, sulphur flower buckwheat, or sulphur flower - is an increasingly popular ornamental plant, especially the variety ‗Kannah Creek‘, which is a Plant Select introduction. It is native to western North America and can be Eriogonum umbellatum ‗Kannah Creek‘ found in many different habitats. This 4-12" tall perennial herb forms Photo credit: O. O‘Callaghan small clumps. The leaves are basal, spatulate, and usually woolly, especially on the underside. The bell-shaped flowers form in dense round clusters. The color of the flowers varies in different varieties from white to bright yellow to purple. ‘Kannah Creek‘ has bright yellow flowers that turn orange-red at maturity. Continued on page 2
INDEX Fabulous Families Know Your Natives Perennial People Digging Deeper Growing Tomatoes Cottage Foods
1&2 2&3 3 4&5 5 6
Water Restrictions 7 Wicked Weeds 8&9 Garden Walks 10 Interesting Insects 11 Harmonious Hardscapes 12