Carya ovalis (Wangenh.) Sarg.
Detail
- Family
- Juglandaceae
- Botanical Name
- Carya ovalis (Wangenh.) Sarg.
- Common Name
- Red Hickory, Sweet Pignut Hickory
- Synonym(s)
- Flora of Virginia Name/Status
- Carya ovalis (Wangenh.) Sarg.
- Comments
- See discussion under Carya glabra. Virginia specimens are extremely variable in bark characteristics, number of leaflets, fruit size, and fruit shape, and may be difficult to distinguish from C. glabra in the field or herbarium. A number of infraspecific segregates of C. ovalis have been proposed, but their validity needs much more assessment. Populations in the mountains and inner Piedmont foothills frequently exhibit petioles (often red-tinged) and lower leaf surfaces that are more glabrous than in C. glabra. Current documentation does not adequately reflect the frequency of this species, especially in the western half of the state; herbarium specimens labeled "Carya glabra" need critical evaluation.
- Habitat
- Mesic to dry upland forests and woodlands; tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, but most important and numerous in moderately to strongly base-rich soils and in montane oak-hickory forests; ascends to at least 1260 m (4150 ft) elevation in the mountains. Common in the mountains and inner Piedmont; frequent in the outer Piedmont; infrequent in the Coastal Plain.
- Native Status
- Native
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