Bunium bulbocastanum (L) Great Pignut
NOMENCLATURE
bulbocastanum : from Greek, ____________ chestnut like tuber/bulb.
Pignut : pigs eat roots.
Biopix (SCAND) Picture Link to Bunium bulbocastanum (UK)
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
TYPE : glabourous perennial. G. HEIGHT: 30—100cm.
ROOTS : one. globose, dark brown tuber 1—2.5cm
STEMS : erect, terete, striate, solid. Subterranean part of stem flexuous and tapering downwards.
UMBELS : 3—8cm. Compound, flat topped. Rays 10—20, 15—45mm.
scabrid on angles. Peduncle > than rays.
LEAVES : 10—15cm, arising from lower part of stem, broadly triangular, 3 pinnate,
withered at flrng time, lobes 5—10mm, linear, spathulate to subulate & cartilaginous apex.
Uppermost 2 pinnate. Petiole of lower lvs long, slender, expanded into a sheathing base.
Petiole of upper leaves wide, sheathing. Cotyledons tapered at base, no petiole. One cotyledon
aborted in development.
BRACTS : 5—19, small linear—lanceolate, acuminate. Bracteoles 5—10, linear to lanceolate.
FLOWERS: white. Hermaphrodite, & a few male firs. Late developing laterals all
male. Sepals a minute rim. Petals obovate, emarginate, inflexed apex. Styles
forming a stylopodium. Fl. 6—7.
FRUIT : 3.5—4.5 mm oblong—ellipsoid, laterally compressed. Dark brown, paler ridges. Constricted
at commisure. Mericarps with slender ridges, solitary reddish brown vittae. Carpophor€ present.
Pedicels 2—6mm. Styles = stylopodium, recurved in fruit. Stigma capitate. 2n=22.
HABITAT : very chalky grassland, banks.
DISTRIBUTION : Local in Herts, Bucks, Bedford, Camb. Europe, N. to England,
E. to C. Germany. & N.W. Yugoslavia. N.W. Africa.
BSBI Distribution Map for Bunium bulbocastanum (UK)
TAXONOMIC DEBATE
Authorities differ on whether Bunium bulbocastanum (formerly included in genus Carum), commonly called Great Pignut or Earth Chestnut, is a different but closely related species, or a junior synonym of
B. persicum.
EDIBLE USES
TTuber edible raw or cooked
EXTERNAL LINKS FOR Bunium bulbocastanum
These links to trusted websites and institutions may provide in depth or additional information regards cultivation, chemistry, edibility, images etc. for the species. Links last updated Aug 2012.
Italian Wiki (ITA) Plants For a Future (UK) Bio Info (UK)
'Online Guide To Umbelliferae Of The British Isles' Compiled By J.M.Burton 2002
Picture copyright Tutins.