Bunium bulbocastanum Pig Nut, Earth-nut PFAF Plant Database

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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Bunium bulbocastanum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Synonyms

Apium bulbocastanum. Ligusticum bulbocastanum.

Habitats

Meadow; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves; Root.
Edible Uses: Condiment.

Root - raw or cooked[46, 61, 115]. A delicious taste very much like sweet chestnuts when cooked[2, K], but the tubers are very small and fiddly to harvest[183]. Seed and flowers. Used as a flavouring[61, 183], they are a cumin substitute[46]. Leaves - raw or cooked. They are used as a garnish and a flavouring in much the same way as parsley[46, 61, 183].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Astringent.

Astringent[61].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

See the plants native habitat for ideas on its cultivation needs. The pig nut has at times been cultivated for its edible root[61]. Although quite small in the wild, there is a potential to improve the size of this root through selective breeding and cultivation.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. The seedlings only have one cotyledon[17]. Germination is usually free and quick, prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow on for their first season in pots. Plant them out into their final positions when dormant in the autumn. The seed can also be sown in situ, but this is best done only if you have lots of seed since far fewer plants will result. Division in spring or autumn.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Edibility Rating	Medicinal Rating
Bunium ferulaceum		2	0
Bunium persicum	Black Caraway, Black Cumin	3	0

Expert comment

Author

Botanical References

1750

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


	Mar 26 2013 12:00AM

Occasionally found in Poland as ephemerophyte. [Source: L.Rutkowski 'Klucz do oznaczania roslin naczyniowych Polski nizowej', PWN, Warsaw 2013]

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Subject : Bunium bulbocastanum

Bunium bulbocastanum - L.