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Carya aquatica (Michx. f.) Nutt.

Water hickory, Bitter pecan

Juglandaceae (Walnut Family)

USDA Symbol: caaq2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The pinnately compound leaves of this hickory have 9-11 leaflets. Trees can grow to 115 ft. but are usually much shorter. The bark of older trees is light-brown, splitting into long, plate-like, red-tinged scales. Large tree with tall straight trunk, slender upright branches, narrow crown, and bitter inedible nuts.

Both the common and scientific names describe this hickory occupying wettest soils. The bitter nuts are consumed by ducks and other wildlife. Water Hickory is the tallest of all hickories; the national champion measures 150 (45.7 m).

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Complexity: Pinnate
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate
Leaf: Green
Fruit:
Size Class: More than 100 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MO , MS , NC , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA
Native Distribution: S.e. VA to s. IL & s.e. MO, s. to FL & TX
Native Habitat: Swamps; river banks
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Wet soils.
Conditions Comments: This species is very tolerant of wet soils, yet is can flourish on well-drained sites.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Serves as a primary host for some magnificent moths.
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Luna, funeral dagger, and giant regal.

Propagation

Description: Propagation is possible by seed.
Seed Collection: Nuts can be collected off the ground after natural seed fall or after shaking the tree.
Seed Treatment: Embyro dormancy can be overcome by moist stratification at 33-40 degrees for 30-150 days. Older seeds require less stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes

Bibliography

Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Carya aquatica in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Carya aquatica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Carya aquatica

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-18
Research By: TWC Staff

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