The hulls are thinner than in Japanese. A kind tenned Common Gray is probably identical with Silverhull. Tartary buckwheat has small seeds, nearly round in cross section. Color varies from gray to black. The hull may be smooth to rough and spiny.
Leaves are relatively small, narrow and arrow-shaped.
Plants may be almost viny in habit. The flour from Tartary buckwheat is inferior to that from Japanese or Silverhull. Wing-seeded buckwheat is similar to Japanese except that the hull at the angles of the seed is extended to form a wing. It is not normally planted, but may be present as a mixture in other kinds. Uses of Buckwheat Most of the buckwheat grown in the United States is milled into flour which is used largely in pancakes.