In reality(is this OK?) Buffalo Nut (Pyralaria pubera) is a small, short lived understory shrub that is parasitic on the roots of hardwood trees. I believe it is related to missletoe. The fruit of this plant has so much oil in it that with a piece of cotton thread strung through it, it can be lit and used as a candle(hense the genis name Pyra laria).
The shoots have a thick pithy center and the shaft has fibers simular to boo.
Pat