Synoptic Key to Hickories (Carya species)  

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by Michael Kuo

This key uses the more easily assessed features of hickories, rather than the erudite features (involving buds, twigs, and so on) that are more difficult to ascertain. However, the result is that it may sometimes be difficult to arrive at a single, clear-cut identification, since the more erudite features are sometimes the best ones for determining the species. "Intergrading" (and actual hybrid) trees are frequently encountered, especially in the shagbark-pignut-red hickory group, contributing to identification difficulties. Twelve species of hickories are treated in the key; the numbered list appears below. The gray-font, parenthetical entries in the key refer to possible but not usual occurrences.

Number of Leaflets

Five:    (1), 4, (6), (7), 8, (9), 11

Seven:    1, (2), 3, (4), 6, 7, (8), 9, 10, 11, 12

Nine or more:    (1), 2, 3, 5, (6), (10), 12

Bark

Adnate:    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, (8), 9, 10, 11

Peeling:    (4), (5), 6, 7, 8, 12

Nut Shells

Thick (often over 1/8 inch):    1, 4, 6, 8, 10

Thin:    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12

Leaflet Length

Sometimes well over 6 inches long:    (1), 5, 6, 8

Species

1) Carya alba (= Carya tomentosa) (Mockernut Hickory)
2) Carya aquatica (Water Hickory)
3) Carya cordiformis (Bitternut Hickory)
4) Carya glabra (Pignut Hickory)
5) Carya illinoinensis (Pecan)
6) Carya laciniosa (Shellbark Hickory)
7) Carya ovalis (Red Hickory)
8) Carya ovata (Shagbark Hickory)
9) Carya texana (Black Hickory)
10) Carya pallida (Sand or Pale Hickory)
11) Carya floridana (Scrub Hickory) Only in Florida
12) Carya myristiciformis (Nutmeg Hickory) Found in TX, OK, AR, LA, AL, MS, GA, NC, SC

(References consulted)

Cite this page as:

Kuo, M. (2011, June). Synoptic key to hickories (Carya species). Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/trees/hickories.html