Carya aquatica (F. Michx.) Nutt.

Water Hickory; Bitter Pecan

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Water Hickory is a native deciduous tree in the Walnut family (Juglandaceae). It is found primarily in the southern half of Alabama, but occurs as far north as the Tennessee River. Water Hickory grows along larger streams and rivers, in hardwood floodplain forests, along sloughs, and in swamps. It is a medium to large tree reaching heights of 110-120 feet. It develops a deep tap root as a seedling, making transplanting difficult. The bark is light to dark gray in color and peels in long strips. The bud scales are valvate. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, pinnately compound with 9-13 leaflets. The leaflets are lanceolate to lance-ovate in outline with serrate margins. The leaflets are pubescent along the midrib and major veins. The leaves turn yellow before falling in the autumn. Male flowers are produced in pendulous green catkins. The female flowers are solitary or in 2-4 flowered spikes. The fruit is a brown, flattened, nut enclosed in a husk. The husk in thin and has 4 winged sutures. The husk splits to the base, releasing the nut. The seed are bitter. Water Hickory occurs as scattered individuals among other hardwoods in bottomlands. The wood is dense and hard, but is limited in supply. It is used primarily as a high-quality firewood. The nuts are consumed by squirrels and wild hogs. Water Hickory has been recognized for its ability to cleanse run off, and it is sometimes planted in retention ponds and artificial wetlands.--A. Diamond

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Native OBL (NWPL)

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