Pignut Hickory
Carya glabra
- Native to:
- Canada, United States, Virgin Islands
iNaturalist: © ptibble (iNaturalist #14895642)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Juglandaceae
- Genus:
- Carya
- Species:
- Carya glabra
- USDA Symbol:
- CAGL8
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 caryalbella, Acrobasis kearfottella, Acrobasis stigmella, American Dagger Moth (Acronicta americana), Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Coleophora ostryae, dejected underwing (Catocala dejecta), elm spanworm moth (Ennomos subsignaria), Epione underwing (Catocala epione), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), hickory shoot borer (Acrobasis caryae), Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae), Inconsolable Underwing (Catocala insolabilis), Luna moth (Actias luna), mourning underwing (Catocala flebilis), oak leafroller (Acrobasis angusella), Old Wife Underwing (Catocala palaeogama), pecan leafminer (Cameraria caryaefoliella), Penitent Underwing (Catocala piatrix), Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), Red-humped caterpillar moth (Schizura concinna), Regal Moth (Citheronia regalis), residual underwing (Catocala residua), Splendid Royal Moth (Citheronia splendens), Spring cankerworm (Paleacrita vernata), Yellow-Banded Underwing (Catocala retecta), Yellownecked caterpillar (Datana ministra), Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus), hickory hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorum)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Coptodisca lucifluella, pecan leafminer (Cameraria caryaefoliella), skiff moth (Prolimacodes badia), Stigmella caryaefoliella
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, mammals
- Fall Color:
- yellow, orange, red
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers upland areas with good drainage
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 60-90 days to break dormancy.
Pre-treatment: Seeds are cold stratified for 90 to 120 days
Establishment: C. glabra is found within temperate deciduous forests of eastern North America.
Source: npn.rngr.net
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)