Bitternut Hickory
Carya cordiformis
- Native to:
- Canada, United States, Virgin Islands
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
- Bloom Colors:
- greenish-yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- 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:
- birds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- 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 — 60–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 60-120 days to break dormancy.
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
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)