Tall buckwheat is a domesticated plant used in traditional Chinese medicine, for animal feed, and as an ornamental plant. It is native to much of China, and to Bhutan, Nepal, India, Burma, and Vietnam.
Tall buckwheat grows wild in moist places such as riverbeds. The plant is up to 100 cm tall. It has triangular leaves that grow in alternate clusters and produces white flowers from August to November.
In China, the rhizome is used as an antifebrile and detoxifying herb. The seeds are used as grain; the leaves contain the vasoprotective rutin. The leaves and young shoots are excellent for spinach and vegetable dishes