A. Bud scales opposite; appearing somewhat grooved lengthwise;
leaflets usually lanceolate, generally curved backwards;
nut-husks usually winged; nut thin-shelled.
B. Leaflets 5-9; leaves 6-10 inches long, winter buds
bright yellow; nut gray globose, meat bitter C. cordiformis
BB. Leaflets 7-13; leaves 9-13 inches long, winter buds
dark brown, nut brown, pear-shaped, meat bitter C. aquatica
BBB. Leaflets 9-17; leaves 12-20 inches long, winter
buds yellow, nut elongated, meat sweet C. illinoensis
AA. Bud scales not in pairs; more than 6; leaflets not recurved;
nut husks usually not winged; nut thick-shelled.
B. Buds large; twigs stout; nut angled; kernel sweet.
C. Leaflets 5; leaves 8-14 inches long, nut
whitish, bark shaggy C. ovata
CC. Leaflets 7-9; leaves 15-20 inches long, nut
reddish-brown C. laciniosa
CCC. Leaflets 7-9; leaves 8-12 inches long,
hairy C. tomentosa
BB. Buds small; twigs slender; nut angled.
C. Leaflets usually 5; leaves 8-12 inches long;
fruit pear-shaped; kernel astringent C. glabra
CC. Leaflets usually 7; leaves 8-10 inches long;
fruit ovoid; shell ridged, thin; kernel
sweet C. ovalis
CCC. Leaflets usually 7; leaves 10-12 inches
long; shell thin, conspicuously veined C. buckleyi
+BITTERNUT HICKORY+ _Carya cordiformis_ K. Koch
THE bitternut hickory is a tall slender tree with broadly pyramidal
crown, attaining a height of 100 feet and a diameter of 2 to 3 feet. It
is found along stream banks and on moist soil, and it is well known by
its roundish bitter nuts.
[Illustration: BITTERNUT HICKORY