JUGLANDACEAE - - Walnut Family

Carya ovalis (Wangenheim) Sargent — Red or Oval Pignut Hickory

Red or Oval Pignut Hickory (Carya ovalis) - Carya ovalis, along with C. glabra (Pignut Hickory) are the two species currently accepted in, what is called the "Pignut Complex." Previously, there has been many other species and especially varieties recognized in this "complex." Therefore, it is likely that you may encounter trees, that are intermediates, where it will be difficult to attribute to either species. But, C. ovalis can be separated by having many leaves on the same tree with both 5 and 7 leaflets, the twigs are stout, similar in size to C. ovata (Shagbark) and C. tomentosa (Mockernut), not slender like C. glabra (Pignut), the fruit is more rounded or oval (not pear-shaped), with no stipe at the base and with a husk that splits readily to the base, the bark is more scaly than Pignut, and on very old specimens can be almost shaggy.

Habitat:

Forests and woodlands.

Habitat information from:
Weakley, Alan S., Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States, Working Draft of 21 May 2015.

The native range of Carya ovalis (Red Hickory)

USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 21 November 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

The Georgia range of Carya ovalis (Red Hickory)