Butternut

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score

0

Native Status

✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON

Closest Direction

Local

CEC Eco-Regions

5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians

Rarity Notes

Listed as Endangered under SARA (Schedule 1, listed 2005-07-14) and assessed as Endangered by COSEWIC. Ranked G3 globally, N2 in Canada. The primary threat is butternut canker, which has eliminated or severely reduced populations across the range. Ontario ranks S2; Quebec ranks S1. Brunton (2005) noted severe population decline anticipated in the Ottawa region due to rapid spread of the disease.

S26 SARA Endangered, Schedule 1, listed 2005; S22 G3, N2 Canada, COSEWIC Endangered; S62 severe population decline anticipated; S41 canker eliminating populations

Rarity Ranks

QC S1 – Critically Imperiled, ON S2 – Imperiled

Migration

Stable

Ecological Context

Butternut occupies rich, mesic hardwood forests and streambanks across its range. In the Outaouais, it was historically rare and documented at Aylmer and Casselman. It typically grows as scattered individuals in mixed hardwood stands with sugar maple, basswood, white ash, and beech. The species is severely threatened by butternut canker (Sirococcus clavigignenti-juglandacearum), a fungal disease driving rapid population decline across its entire range.

S63 rare in Ottawa-Hull; S41 streambanks and mixed hardwoods; S62 severe population decline anticipated; S22 SARA Endangered

Permaculture & Companion Planting

Roles

Fortress/Barrier, Nutrient Accumulator

S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)] | Nutrient Accumulator: S72 Hemenway (tables: 6-2, 10-1, pp. 96, 149)]

Notes

Butternut produces juglone, a naphthoquinone that is selectively toxic to associated vegetation. Greatest concentrations occur in root tissue and fruit husks, with lesser amounts in leaves, catkins, buds, and inner bark. Roots are toxic to apples (Malus spp.), members of the Ericaceae, Potentilla spp., and white pines (certain Pinus spp.). Leaves also secrete inhibitory substances washed to the ground by rain. PFAF rates it as not a very good companion plant.

S41 juglone concentrations in roots and husks; S29 toxic to Malus, Ericaceae, Potentilla, Pinus

Medicinal Properties

ℹ

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Category

Laxative, Cathartic, Cholagogue, Febrifuge, Astringent, Stomachic, Antidiarrheal, Analgesic, Anthelmintic, Dermatological Aid, Toothache Remedy

S28 Moerman 26 drug uses across Cherokee, Chippewa, Iroquois; S29 PFAF medicinal categories

Notes

Butternut bark was extensively used by Indigenous peoples including Cherokee, Iroquois, Chippewa, and Algonquin. The inner bark is one of the few potent laxatives considered safe during pregnancy. Cherokee used pills from inner bark as a cathartic and compound infusions for toothache. Iroquois used compound decoctions for analgesic, anthelmintic, blood purifier, dermatological, gynecological, and oral applications. The nut oil was used for tapeworms and fungal infections. Butternut also lowers cholesterol and promotes liver waste clearance.

S28 Cherokee, Iroquois, Chippewa uses; S29 safe laxative in pregnancy, cholesterol, liver

Edibility & Foraging

ℹ

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✅ Edible    ✅ Commonly Eaten

Foraging Notes

Nuts are sweet, oily, and edible, eaten raw or ground into powder for cakes and biscuits. The kernel is about 20% of the whole nut and hard to extract. Nuts become rancid quickly once opened. Unripe fruits can be pickled. An edible oil is obtained from the seed. The sweet sap can be tapped in spring for a refreshing drink or boiled into syrup. Nuts were widely used by Indigenous peoples including Algonquin, Cherokee, and Iroquois. Popular in New England for maple-butternut candy.

S29 edible parts, oil, sap; S28 Algonquin, Cherokee, Iroquois food uses; S41 maple-butternut candy

Toxicity

△ Low Toxicity

USDA rates toxicity as slight. The naphthoquinone constituent juglone may cause gastric irritation. PFAF advises avoidance in patients with gallstones. Juglone is found in roots, fruit husks, leaves, catkins, buds, and inner bark. The compound is primarily a phytotoxin affecting other plants rather than a significant human health hazard, though contact with fruit husks can stain skin.

S11 Toxicity=Slight; S29 naphthoquinone may cause gastric irritation, avoid with gallstones; S41 juglone in roots, husks, leaves; S31 juglone in bark

Seed Source

• Arboquebecium
• Oak Summit Nursery