190 



FIELD CROP PRODUCTION 



portion of it several branches are given off. The total 

 root development as compared with that of the cereals 

 is not large. The plant produces but one stem from 

 each seed, and does not thicken up the stand by tillering 

 as do the cereals. It has other means, however, of 



adapting itself to the 

 environment. The 

 main stem branches 

 more or less freely, 

 depending upon the 

 thickness of planting 

 and other environ- 

 mental factors. The 

 stems grow from two 

 to five feet in height, 

 the average probably 

 being about three. 

 The leaves are ar- 

 ranged alternately, 

 and the petioles vary 

 in length from ex- 



FIG. 68. -Buckwheat in bloom. tremely short to as 



much as four inches 



or more. The leaves are heart-shaped, somewhat longer 

 than they are broad, and vary in length from two to 

 four inches. 



The flowers are borne at the top of the stem upon 

 peduncles that grow out from the axils of the leaves. The 

 flowers are peculiar in that they have no petals. The 

 sepals of the calyx, however, are rather large and have the 

 appearance of petals. The color of the flowers is pinkish 

 white, tinged with red. They appear long before the plant 

 is full-grown, and they continue to appear until the 



