Scrub hickory, Scrub pecan
Carya floridana
Family: Juglandaceae
What it is like
A small tree. It grows 6-8 m tall and spreads 3-5 m wide. It has many branches and a spreading crown. The trunk is 20 cm across. The bark is grey and smooth. The twigs are covered with rust coloured hairs. The leaves are compound and 10-20 cm long. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. There are 5 distinct leaflets and these have fine teeth. The leaflets are 4-10 cm long. They are green above and yellowish-green underneath. The flowers are very small and green. The male flowers are in slender drooping catkins. There are 3 hanging from a stalk. The female flowers are at the tips of the same twigs. The fruit are 2-3 cm long and slightly pear shaped. They narrow to a stalkless base. The thin husk splits into 3 parts. The nut is rounded and 15 mm across. The nuts are edible.
There are about 14-25 Carya species.
Where it is found
It grows in central Florida. It grows in dry sand ridges on old sand dunes. It grows up to 30 m altitude. It needs full sun. It suits hardiness zones 9-10.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The kernels are sweet and are eaten.
Edible parts
Seeds, nuts
How it is grown
It starts to produce nuts when young.
Its other names
Local names
Florida hickory