Carya buckleyi

Durand

Juglandaceae Edible: Seeds, Nuts

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Wikimedia Commons - Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 1: 584. Courtesy of Kentucky Native Plant Society. Scanned by Omnitek Inc.

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Summary

Source: Wikipedia

A deciduous tree growing to 10 m at slow rate, hardy to UK zone 6. Leaves present June–October; flowers bloom April–May with seeds ripening late autumn. Monoecious, wind-pollinated, and self-fertile. Accommodates sandy, loamy, and clay soils with mildly acidic to basic pH. Requires full sun and moist soil.

Description

Edible Uses

The seed can be eaten raw or cooked and has a sweet flavour. It ripens in late autumn and, when stored in the shell in a cool place, will keep for at least 6 months.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

North America, USA,

Cultivation

Prefers a deep moisture-retentive loam in a sunny sheltered position, requiring a good summer for best development. Slow growing, especially when young. Succeeds outdoors at Kew. Plants are strongly tap-rooted and should be planted in their permanent positions as soon as possible. Sowing in situ would be the best method so long as the seed could be protected from mice. Trees are late coming into leaf (usually late May to June) and lose their leaves early in the autumn (usually in October). During this time they cast a heavy shade. These factors combine to make the trees eminently suitable for a mixed woodland planting with shrubs and other trees beneath them. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Most species in this genus have quite a wide range of distribution and, in order to find trees more suited to this country, seed from the most appropriate provenances should be sought. Most trees growing in Britain at present tend to only produce good seed after hot summers. There is some confusion over the correct name of this species, some authorities place it under C. texana. Buckl. whilst others say that C. buckleyi is the correct name and that there is also a distinct species C. texana. DC. According to the Flora of N. America, C. buckleyi Dewey. Is a synonym for C. brunnescens subsp. Sphaerostachya, whilst C. buckleyi Durand. Is a synonym for C. texana. Trees are self-fertile but larger crops of better quality seeds are produced if cross-pollination takes place.

Propagation

Seed requires a period of cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed should be kept moist but not wet before sowing and placed in a cold frame as soon as possible. Where feasible, sow only 1 or 2 seeds per deep pot and thin to the strongest seedling. Transplant seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle, again using deep pots to accommodate the taproot. Move plants to their permanent positions as soon as possible — ideally in their first summer — and provide some frost protection for at least the first winter. Seed can also be sown in situ provided it is protected from mice and cold; a plastic bottle with top and bottom removed and a wire mesh top makes a suitable guard.

Other Uses

The wood is hard and brittle and is used mainly as fuel.

Notes

There are about 14-25 Carya species.

Synonyms

C. texana. non DC.

References (2)

Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 12:547. 1861 ("1860")