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Carya cordiformis
  • Bitternut

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Carya genus in the family Juglandaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Rootstock
    Rootstock
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 4
    Zone 4
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Carya cordiformis has 0 edible uses listed
Carya cordiformis has 0 material uses listed
Carya cordiformis has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Seed - raw or cooked[1][2]. Thin shelled but bitter and astringent[3][4]. Even squirrels tend to pass it over[5]. The seed is about 3cm long[6]. The seed ripens in late autumn and, when stored in its shell in a cool place, will keep for at least 6 months[K].

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

An oil expressed from the seeds has been used as an illuminant in oil lamps[6].

Often used as a potted stock for grafting varieties of pecans (C. illinoensis)[7].

Wood - heavy, very hard, strong, elastic, tough, close grained[3][7][6]. It weighs 47lb per cubic foot[7]. Although the wood tends to be brittle, it has an amazing quality of shock-resistance and is used for hoops, tool handles etc, though it is considered to be inferior to other hickories[3][7][6]. A very good fuel, burning well and giving off a lot of heat[6].

Unknown part

Fuel
Oil
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The oil from the seeds has been used in the treatment of rheumatism[5]. The bark is diuretic and laxative[8].

Unknown part

Antirheumatic
Diuretic
Laxative

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Rootstock

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - requires a period of cold stratification. It is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[9]. Stored seed should be kept moist (but not wet) prior to sowing and should be sown in a cold frame as soon as possible[9]. Where possible, sow 1 or 2 seeds only in each deep pot and thin to the best seedling. If you need to transplant the seedlings, then do this as soon as they are large enough to handle, once more using deep pots to accommodate the tap root. Put the plants into their permanent positions as soon as possible, preferably in their first summer, and give them some protection from the cold for at least the first winter[78, K]. Seed can also be sown in situ so long as protection is given from mice etc and the seed is given some protection from cold[10] (a plastic bottle with the top and bottom removed and a wire mesh top fitted to keep the mice out is ideal)

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Carya cordiformis. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a deep moisture-retentive loam in a sunny sheltered position, requiring a good summer for best development[11][12][13][10]. Slow growing[10].

This is the hardiest and best growing member of this genus in Britain[14], unfortunately the seed is bitter[3]. Hybridizes in the wild with C. illinoensis[15]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[10]. Plants are strongly tap-rooted and should be planted in their permanent positions as soon as possible[11][13]. Sowing in situ would be the best method so long as the seed could be protected from mice[11][10]. Trees are late coming into leaf (usually late May to June) and lose their leaves early in the autumn (usually in October)[13]. During this time they cast a heavy shade. These factors combine to make the trees eminently suitable for a mixed woodland planting with shrubs and other trees beneath them[13]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[10]. Most species in this genus have quite a wide range of distribution and, in order to find trees more suited to this country, seed from the most appropriate provenances should be sought[13]. Most trees growing in Britain at present tend to only produce good seed after hot summers[13].

Trees are self-fertile but larger crops of better quality seeds are produced if cross-pollination takes place[6].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Carya cordiformis. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Carya cordiformis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Carya cordiformis
Genus
Carya
Family
Juglandaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Medicinal uses
[5][8]
Material uses & Functions
[6][7][3]
Botanic
[14][15][10]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Rootstock
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Canopy
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    slow
    Mature Size
    25 x 15 meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Wind
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    monoecious

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    "image:Carya cordiformis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Carya cordiformis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Carya cordiformis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Carya cordiformis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Carya cordiformis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Carya cordiformis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Carya cordiformis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Carya cordiformis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Carya cordiformis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Carya cordiformis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Carya cordiformis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
    2. ? 2.02.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.5 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. ISBN 0889025649 (1989-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.66.7 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. ISBN 0292780206 (1982-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.510.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    12. ? Howes. F. N. Nuts. Faber (1948-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.413.5 ? The Plantsman. Vol. 9. 1986 - 1987. Royal Horticultural Society (1986-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.1 Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

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    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Carya_cordiformis&oldid=75977"
    Facts about "Carya cordiformis"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyJuglandaceae +
    Belongs to genusCarya +
    Functions asRootstock +
    Has common nameBitternut +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partSeeds +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile + and Wind +
    Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
    Has growth rateSlow +
    Has hardiness zone4 +
    Has imageCarya cordiformis.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useFuel +, Oil + and Wood +
    Has mature height25 +
    Has mature width15 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntirheumatic +, Diuretic + and Laxative +
    Has primary imageCarya cordiformis.jpg +
    Has search namecarya cordiformis + and x +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameCarya cordiformis +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +