> Sounds like japanese bamboo to me. ... is kin to buckwheat and tastes
>like a mild form of it.
 
Anyone know the scientific name?  The botanist in me hates things that
are called "bamboo" but are nothing even vaguely related, and obviously not
even a monocot.  Sounds like some sort of escaped ornamental that has a
somewhat bamboo-like leaf and look.
 
Jane