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Pyrularia pubera - Michx.

Common Name Oil Nut, Buffalo nut
Family Santalaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards The whole plant, especially the fruit, contains an acrid poisonous oil[43].
Habitats Rich woods[235], where it is parasitic on the roots of deciduous trees and shrubs[43], most commonly on Tsuga carolina[1].
Range Eastern N. America - W. Vancouver to Alabama.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade
Pyrularia pubera Oil Nut, Buffalo nut


USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 1
Pyrularia pubera Oil Nut, Buffalo nut

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Pyrularia pubera is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3.5 m (11ft 6in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from May to June. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit  Oil
Edible Uses: Oil

Fruit[2, 46, 61]. Caution is advised since the fruit is said to be permeated with an acrid oil[1, 43]. The pear-shaped fruit is about 25mm long[200]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[105]. Is this different from the acrid poisonous oil of the fruit?[K]

References   More on Edible Uses

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.
Emetic  Salve

The plant has been used as a salve on old sores[257]. The seed has been chewed to cause vomiting in the treatment of colic[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Oil

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Parasitic on the roots of a range of trees and shrubs, but most commonly Tsuga carolina, this plant needs to grow close to a host tree. It requires a well-drained but moisture retentive lime-free soil[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe into a pot containing a small host tree. Stored seed will require 3 months cold stratification before it is sown[200]. Grow on in a cold frame until the plant is large enough to plant out and then plant it close to a mature host tree. Remove the small host tree once the plant is well established[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia)

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 NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Pyrularia edulis Tree5.0 -  LMHSNM201

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Michx.

Botanical References

43200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

B Joyner   Sun Jan 9 09:55:52 2005

It's true it prospers in woodlands with Tsuga Carolina (hemlock)--This plant is extremely invasive and must be fought or it will take over your woods.

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