Bitternut, Swamp hickory, Bitternut hickory
It grows in moist lowlands in Canada and the USA. It can tolerate some shade. It is very hardy. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.
Synonyms
- Carya amara Nutt.
- Hicoria cordiformis
- Juglans cordiformis
Edible Portion
- Seeds, Nuts
Where does Bitternut grow?
Found in: Australia, Britain, Canada, North America, United States
Notes: There are about 14-25 Carya species.
Growing Bitternut, Swamp hickory, Bitternut hickory
Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed which should be sown where they are to grow. They are not easy to transplant.
Edible Uses: The kernels are bitter. They are sometimes eaten.
Production: A fast growing tree. Trees start to produce nuts after 30 years. Nut production is high every 3-5 years. Trees can live for 150 years.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuts | - | - | - | - | - | - |
References
Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994) (As Hicoria cordiformis)
Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 86
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 218
Coombes, A.J., 2000, Trees. Dorling Kindersley Handbooks. p 182 (Fruit bitter and inedible)
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 334
Dendrologie 1:597. 1869
Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 184
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 123
Farrar, J.L., 1995, Trees of the Northern United States and Canada. Iowa State University press/Ames p 210 (Listed as non edible)
Flowerdew, B., 2000, Complete Fruit Book. Kyle Cathie Ltd., London. p 194
Glowinski, L., 1999, The Complete Book of Fruit Growing in Australia. Lothian. p 106
Harris, E & J., 1983, Field Guide to the Trees and Shrubs of Britain. Reader's Digest. p 168
Little, E.L., 1980, National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees. Alfred A. Knopf. p 345
Lyle, S., 2006, Discovering fruit and nuts. Land Links. p 112
MacKinnon, A., et al, 2009, Edible & Medicinal Plants of Canada. Lone Pine. p 62
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Wickens, G.E., 1995, Edible Nuts. FAO Non-wood forest products. FAO, Rome. p 133
Young, J., (Ed.), 2001, Botanica's Pocket Trees and Shrubs. Random House. p 201