Species library · Plants & herbs

Caucasian Wingnut: poisonous

Pterocarya fraxinifolia

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Caucasian Wingnut is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from January to December in the northern hemisphere. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
Caucasian Wingnut (Pterocarya fraxinifolia)

Photo: Liné1 · CC BY-SA 3.0

When Caucasian Wingnut appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

⚠ Look-alikes

Tree of heavenTree of heaven☠ toxic
English walnut
European ash

Look up Caucasian Wingnut in the app

In the Forage app, Caucasian Wingnut has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Caucasian Wingnut: common questions

Is Caucasian Wingnut poisonous?

Yes. Caucasian Wingnut is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Caucasian Wingnut appear?

Caucasian Wingnut usually appears from January to December in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

What can Caucasian Wingnut be confused with?

Toxic look-alikes: Tree of heaven, English walnut, European ash. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by an expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits