Pignut
Latin name
Conopodium majus
Family
Apiaceae
Flowering season
May to July
English distribution
It is found throughout the country.
See the BSBI distribution map for Pignut
Habitat
Pignut grows in mature grassland, hay meadows,
hedgerows and woodland.
Description
It is a native, tuberous, perennial herb, growing up to
40cm.
The flowers are white umbels up to 7cm across.
Leaves are 2-3 pinnate and fern-like.
It has a small tuber below ground and may be the ‘nut’
of "Here we go gathering nuts in May", which was the
subject of correspondence in the Times in October 2004.
The tuber grows several inches underground. It has a
brown papery exterior that easily scrapes off, leaving the
white nut.
The nut tasts like a peppery, raw sweet chestnut.
It used to be a regular part of people's diet in the
countryside.
It is illegal to dig up pignuts without the permission of
the landowner.
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Pignut umbels
Close-up of flowers
Leaves
Tuber -pignut