The 'Other' Pignuts!

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Moonraker

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Aug 20, 2004
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Dorset & France
Did you know there are three 'Pignuts' in the British Isles?!

The first is Conopodium majus aka. Pignut also;

Kippernut :eek:, Arnut, Jarnut, Hawknut, Earth Chestnut, Groundnut, and Earthnut and even Saint Anthony's nut !! :)

It has been discussed and described here lots of time, for instance:

pignut

The second is Bunium bulbocastanum aka. the 'Greater Pignut' also:

Great Pignut, Earthnut, Black caraway, Earth chestnut, Pig nut, Tuberous Caraway.

It is similar in appearance to Conopodium majus but can be identified pretty easily but it is more limited in it's range, being restricted to the North Chilterns from Buckinghamshire to Cambridgeshire. It is declining in numbers but can be locally common, so pick only when there are plenty around.

In France it used to be also grown in the veg garden and was called 'Châtaigne de terre' (literally sweet chestnut of the earth, or Earth Chestnut). Eaten in the same way, either raw or boiled.

nat-chataignedeterre.jpg


source: http://www.jardinpotager.com/JLB.chataignedeterre.htm

Yum :)

The third is a tree so less confusion here :), Carya glabra aka the Sweet Pignut also;

Pignut, Pignut Hickory.

It is a non-native, originating from North America but may be found in parks and gardens.

happy foraging :)
 
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