Pignut (Conopodium majus)

Family: Apiaceae or Umbelliferae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Conopodium majus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June, 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. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

pleasant food with a flavour somewhat between a sweet potato and hazelnuts, with a hot aftertaste of radish. — Tubers - raw or cooked.; A very pleasant food with a flavour somewhat between a sweet potato and hazelnuts, with a hot aftertaste of radish.; We have never detected this hot aftertaste, and feel that the flavour is reminiscent of brazil nuts.; There is only one tuber on each plant, this is rather small and difficult to harvest, but the size could probably be increased by cultivation.

Habitat & North American Range

Woods, hedgerows and fields. It is never found on alkaline soils. (Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)