Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Earth-nut

EARTH-NUT, a native plant of two species, namely, the Bunium bulbocastanum, or Great Earth-nut; and the flexuosum, or Common Earth-nut, or Pig-nut. Both are perennial plants, growing in sandy or gravelly meadows, pastures, orchards, and woods: they flower in the month of May or June.

The roots of these plants are at present searched for only by hogs, which devour them with avidity; but as they are very little inferior to chesnuts, we think they might form an agreeable addition to our winter desserts, and be eaten either raw, boiled, or roasted.