Plant Details

Bunium bulbocastanum

Pig nut

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Bunium bulbocastanum.

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Common names

19 names · 15 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Earthnut[1]
  • Great Pignut[1]
  • Pig nut
Other languages (14)
Dutch
  • Aardkastanje[1]
French
  • Bunium noix de terre[1]
  • Châtaigne de terre
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 伊朗黑孜然[1]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 伊朗黑孜然[1]
Czech
  • bulvuška hlíznatá[1]
Danish
  • Jordkastanie[1]
Finnish
  • maakastanjaputki[1]
German
  • Erdkastanie[1]
  • Gewöhnlicher Knollenkümmel[1]
Italian
  • Bulbocastano comune[1]
Norwegian
  • knollkarve[1]
Russian
  • Буниум клубнекаштановый[1]
Slovak
  • buľka hľuznatá[1]
Slovenian
  • navadna gomoljasta kumina[1]
Swedish
  • jordkastanj[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Bunium bulbocastanum — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Great Pignut — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 62085; Bunium bulbocastanum.
  • Earthnut — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 62085; Bunium bulbocastanum.
  • bulvuška hlíznatá — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 62085; Bunium bulbocastanum.
  • Jordkastanie — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 62085; Bunium bulbocastanum.
  • knollkarve — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 62085; Bunium bulbocastanum.
  • maakastanjaputki — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 62085; Bunium bulbocastanum.
  • Erdkastanie — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 62085; Bunium bulbocastanum.
  • Gewöhnlicher Knollenkümmel — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 62085; Bunium bulbocastanum.
  • Aardkastanje — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 62085; Bunium bulbocastanum.
  • jordkastanj — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 62085; Bunium bulbocastanum.
  • 伊朗黑孜然 — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 62085; Bunium bulbocastanum.
  • 伊朗黑孜然 — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 62085; Bunium bulbocastanum.
  • Буниум клубнекаштановый — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 62085; Bunium bulbocastanum.
  • Bulbocastano comune — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 62085; Bunium bulbocastanum.
  • navadna gomoljasta kumina — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 62085; Bunium bulbocastanum.
  • buľka hľuznatá — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 62085; Bunium bulbocastanum.
  • Bunium noix de terre — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 62085; Bunium bulbocastanum.

General information

Scientific name: Bunium bulbocastanum
Accepted name (Kew): Bunium bulbocastanum L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Apiaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Bunium (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Pig nut
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Ground cover
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.60 m
Spread: 0.30 m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: None

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4-8
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Condiment, Root
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(1)
Functions:
None

Description

The root of the plant can be eaten both raw and cooked. The small tubers have a delicious flavor that resembles wild chestnuts when cooked, but they are difficult to harvest. The seeds and flowers of the plant are used as a flavoring, a kind of substitute for cumin. The leaves can be eaten both raw and cooked and serve as a garnish and seasoning, similar to parsley.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/09
Harvest ends: 31/10

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 440786; name ID 2686119; Bunium L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1333377; name ID 2686156; Bunium bulbocastanum L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.