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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

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.

More information on Carya ovata.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#native tree#moth caterpillar host#piedmont#nuts#NC native#nighttime garden#pollinator plant#Braham Arboretum#larval host plant#deciduous tree#hickory horndevil moth#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#native tree#moth caterpillar host#piedmont#nuts#NC native#nighttime garden#pollinator plant#Braham Arboretum#larval host plant#deciduous tree#hickory horndevil moth#wildlife friendly
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Piedmont
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Shaggy
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Native Garden
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals