Carolina Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata var. australis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Carya carolinae-septentrionalis
- Carya ovalis subsp. australis
- Carya ovalis var. australis
- Carya ovata subsp. australis
- Carya ovata var. carolinae-septentrionalis
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAIR-yuh oh-VAY-tuh aw-STRAL-iss
- Description
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Carolina Shagbark Hickory is a variation of the Shag Bark Hickory and can be found on the upland flats of the piedmont areas in the southeastern U.S.A. It differs in slightly larger leaves and nuts and has more slender shoots and darker outer bud scales. Prefers a humid climate but is found in a wide range of climates. This plant prefers moist acidic soils.
Male and female flowers occur in the spring and give way to edible nuts. This hickory begins to bear seeds around 10 years but is most productive from 40 to 200 years old. The production is erratic with the best crops being every 3-5 years.
This plant serves as a food source for the Hickory horndevil (Citheronia regalis) moth.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Carya
- Species:
- ovata
- Family:
- Juglandaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used for furniture, flooring and tool handles. It is also used for smoking meats. The bark is used to flavor maple-style syrup.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Ala., Ga., Miss., N.C., S.C., Tenn.
- Distribution:
- Found in Delaware south to Georgia, and west to Tennessee. Found in VI, NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, TN, and KY
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Hickory Horndevil (Citheronia regalis) larvae which have one brood and appear from May to mid-September. Adult Hickory Horndevil moths do not feed. Small mammals, squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks and others, are attracted to the nuts.
- Edibility:
- Nuts are edible and sweet to humans and wildlife.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Green husks mature to brown and split to the base. Nuts are brown and 1 to 1.5 inches long.
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Male flowers grow as catkins about 4-7 inches long and female pistillate appears in spikes around 1/2 long.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- 8-inch compound leaves have 5 leaflets with dense hairs at the tips of serration.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Shaggy
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Black
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Young twigs are green, maturing to thin black to red-brown twigs, small buds.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
