Bitternut Hickory
Carya cordiformis
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © sadawolk (iNaturalist #154769071)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Juglandaceae
- Genus:
- Carya
- Species:
- Carya cordiformis
- USDA Symbol:
- CACO15
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 3000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acrobasis kearfottella, Agrippina Underwing (Catocala agrippina), American Dagger Moth (Acronicta americana), Bethune's Pinion (Lithophane bethunei), Clouded Underwing (Catocala nebulosa), Coleophora ostryae, Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidoides), Crocus Geometer (Xanthotype sospeta), Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americana), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), hickory shoot borer (Acrobasis caryae), Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae), juvenile underwing (Catocala subnata), Luna moth (Actias luna), pecan leaf casebearer (Acrobasis juglandis), pecan leafminer (Cameraria caryaefoliella), Yellownecked caterpillar (Datana ministra), Yellownecked caterpillar (Datana integerrima), hickory hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorum)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris), Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidoides), Coptodisca lucifluella, Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), Fulgoraecia exigua, Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae), Oedemasia Packard, pecan leafminer (Cameraria caryaefoliella), Stigmella caryaefoliella, Yellownecked caterpillar (Datana integerrima)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- squirrels, birds, small mammals, deer
- Fall Color:
- golden yellow
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers bottomlands and floodplains
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate in spring following cold stratification. Plant nuts immediately after collection in fall or stratify over winter.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI