Synoptic Key to Hickories (Carya species) [ Trees > Hardwoods . . . ] by Michael Kuo This key uses the more easily assessed features of hickories, rather than the erudite features (involving buds, twigs, and so on) that are more difficult to ascertain. However, the result is that it may sometimes be difficult to arrive at a single, clear-cut identification, since the more erudite features are sometimes the best ones for determining the species. "Intergrading" (and actual hybrid) trees are frequently encountered, especially in the shagbark-pignut-red hickory group, contributing to identification difficulties. Twelve species of hickories are treated in the key; the numbered list appears below. The gray-font, parenthetical entries in the key refer to possible but not usual occurrences. Number of Leaflets
Bark
Nut Shells
Leaflet Length
Species 1) Carya alba (= Carya tomentosa) (Mockernut Hickory) Cite this page as: Kuo, M. (2011, June). Synoptic key to hickories (Carya species). Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/trees/hickories.html |