Conopodium spp.

pignut

Apiaceae

Europe, Mediterranean, North Africa, and western Asia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 5–8

Overview

Conopodium spp. is a genus of slender perennial herbs in the carrot family (Apiaceae), with roughly 20 species ranging across Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, and western Asia. The plants grow from a small, rounded, edible underground tuber set deep in the soil, sending up a thin, branching stem each spring. The species C. majus, the pignut or earthnut, is common in European woods and grassland. Across the genus, flowering stems reach 8 to 24 inches (20 to 60 cm) tall, forming loose clumps 4 to 10 inches (10 to 25 cm) wide. The lower leaves are finely divided into thread-like segments and often wither by flowering time, while the upper stem is nearly leafless. Small white flowers are carried in flat-topped compound umbels 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 8 cm) across in late spring and early summer. After seeding, the top growth dies away and the plant rests in the soil as its tuber. Plants grow in light woodland, hedge banks, and old grassland on moist but free-draining soils.

Native Range

Native to Europe, the Mediterranean region, North Africa, and western Asia, in woodland, hedgerows, and unimproved grassland.

Suggested Uses

Grown in woodland gardens, wildflower meadows, and naturalistic grass plantings where the spring umbels mix with other meadow flowers. The edible tuber has a history of use as a foraged root.

How to Identify

Look for slender, almost wiry stems rising from grass or woodland floor, carrying lower leaves cut into thread-like segments that often fade by flowering. The small white flowers form flat-topped compound umbels. A rounded edible tuber sits deep below each stem.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 2'

Width/Spread4" - 10"

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs in late spring and early summer, mainly May through July. The small white flowers open in flat-topped compound umbels held above the thinning foliage. Top growth dies back soon after seed is set.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years from seed to flowering

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in part shade to full sun on moist but free-draining soils with pH from 5.5 to 7.0. Water needs are medium during spring growth, after which the plants become summer-dormant below ground. Hardiness spans roughly USDA zones 5 to 8. The deep tuber makes established plants hard to move or divide. They naturalise in light woodland and meadow settings rather than formal beds.

Pruning

No routine pruning is needed, as the top growth dies down naturally after flowering. Spent stems can be cleared once seed has dropped. In meadow plantings, mowing is delayed until the seed ripens.

Pruning Schedule

summer

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Wildflower