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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Carya cordiformis

Bitternut Hickory, Swamp Hickory

Scientific Name:

Carya cordiformis

Genus:

Carya

Species Epithet:

cordiformis

Common Name:

Bitternut Hickory, Swamp Hickory

Plant Type

Tree

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Juglandaceae (Walnut Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Invasive Status:

(*Key)

Size:

36-72 ft., 72-100 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

Yellow, Green

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist

Bloom Time:

April, May

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Forests and woodlands, especially in rich, moist alluvial or slope forests. Common throughout NC.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Compound

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Highest Wildlife Value

Landscape Value:

Recommended and Available

State Rank:

S4: Apparently secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

Beautiful fall color and distinctive yellow winter buds. Wood great for smoking meats.

The alternate, compound leaves have 7-11 leaflets and are lanceolate shaped.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Haywood Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Carya cordiformis. You will likely hear them called Bitternut Hickory, Swamp Hickory. This picture shows the The alternate, compound leaves have 7-11 leaflets and are lanceolate shaped. of Carya cordiformis

Bettina Darveaux

This tree has very distinctive sulfur colored buds.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Haywood Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Carya cordiformis. You will likely hear them called Bitternut Hickory, Swamp Hickory. This picture shows the This tree has very distinctive sulfur colored buds. of Carya cordiformis

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record

Vascular Plants of NC: https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/plant_list.php
 

NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/carya-cordiformis/
 

https://nc.audubon.org/700
 



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