Pignut / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible

Common names

Pignut, hognut, kippernut, cipernut, arnut, jarnut, hawknut, earth chestnut, groundnut, and earthnut

Botanical name

Conopodium majus

Scientific Classification

Kingdom – Plantae

Order –Rosales

Family – Rosaceae

Physical characteristics 

The pignut can only be found from Spring to early Summer when its leaves and flowers can be seen above ground. Each pignut usually has one small fine feathery leaf appearing before its flower stalk is produced. To harvest, the delicate leaf/flower stalk must be carefully followed underground, where it terminates on the edible tuber.

Leaves

The leaf is finely divided, fern-like, and delicate, with a “carrot-like” appearance, they are hairless and usually appear in a light green colour.

Flowers

The flower stalk produces a small white umbel of flowers. They appear from May to July. 

Tuber

The tubers or nuts are dark brown and rounded. They are similar in shape to chestnuts.

Habitat

In grassland or woodland on acid soils. It is not found in alkaline soils in the wild. The presence of pignut is an indicator of old established grassland.

Known hazards

Confusion with other members of the Apiaceae family. It is in the same family as celery, parsnip, parsley, coriander, and carrots, so people with allergies to these should avoid

Could be confused with

Other Apiaceae family members, which include deadly poisonous Hemlock (Conium Maculatum) and Hemlock Water Dropwort (Oenanthe Crocata). Although feather-like, Pignut’s leaves are much finer and smaller and a single leaf stalk leading to the nut differs from the rosette-like growth of poisonous Apiaceae.

Click here to read more about the Carrot family.

Edible use

Eat the tuber cleaned, peeled, and sliced as a foraging snack. If enough can be harvested, pignuts can be sprinkled through a salad for texture. They can also be added to stews for texture, and the flavour becomes a little sweeter

Notes on Herbal Uses

No specific uses in modern herbalism, but historically was used for purifying blood, reducing the need to urinate, and to treat tumours.
Please see your doctor if you have any medical problems

Extra notes from the Foragers

This is a harvest that needs to be dug up, which may require permission from the land owner/manager.

Conopodium means cone-like, with majus meaning larger or bigger