Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: John Lampkin, Nature Coast FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

water hickory

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Carya aquatica

Family:

Juglandaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

30-80 (100) ft tall by 25-50 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

NA

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

Deciduous. Inconspicuous blooms in early spring. Fruits ripen in fall. Lifespan 150+ yrs.

Noted For:

Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen tree in wet settings. This is a good plant to grow in floodplains.

Considerations:

Nut and leaf drop can be messy in a home landscape.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales

Propagation:

Seed (nut).

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Stays wet ---to--- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam, Organic

Soil pH:

adaptable

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Caterpillars, Mammals

Larval host for many moths including; luna moth ( Actias luna ), hickory leafroller moth ( Argyrotaenia juglandana ), royal walnut moth ( Citheronia regalis ), and walnut sphinx ( Amorpha juglandis .

Ducks and other wildlife consume nuts. 

Native Habitats:

swamps

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Nuts are bitter.

General Comments: