Wild Buckwheat

Polygonum convolvulus

Weed Description
An annual twining or trailing vine that may reach as much as 3 1/2 feet in length. Wild buckwheat is found throughout the United States.

Seedlings
Cotyledons are linear, approximately 20 mm long and 3 mm wide, without hairs. Stems are without hairs. First leaves occur on petioles and are without hairs.

Leaves
Leaves are alternate, triangular to heart-shaped with a pointed tip. Basal lobes point inward toward the petiole. Leaves have a continuous, untoothed margin.

Stems
Stems are erect at first, then become twining or creeping and branched at the base. A membranous sheath (ocrea) surrounds the stem at the base of each leaf petiole.

Fruit
A 3-angled achene that is black, 3-4 mm long, and enclosed in the green, winged sepals.

Roots
Fibrous root system.

Identifying Characteristics
The ocrea at base of each petiole and the triangular leaves with basal lobes that point inward are both characteristics that help to distinguish this weed from most other plants. This weed is often confused with Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). However, the inward-pointing bases of wild buckwheat leaves versus the outward-pointing bases of field bindweed leaves are characteristics that may be used to distinguish between the two. Additionally, the ocrea present in wild buckwheat and not in field bindweed is a distinguishing characteristic.

Trouble identifying a weed?

For additional assistance identifying weeds, contact Dr. Kevin Braldly, State Extension Weed Scientist (bradleyke@missouri.edu).

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Wild Buckwheat

Polygonum convolvulus

Trouble identifying a weed?