A KEY TO THE ILLINOIS HICKORIES
| 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 budsbright yellow; nut gray globose, meat bitter | C. cordiformis | ||
| BB. | Leaflets 7-13; leaves 9-13 inches long, winter budsdark brown, nut brown, pear-shaped, meat bitter | C. aquatica | ||
| BBB. | Leaflets 9-17; leaves 12-20 inches long, winterbuds 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, nutwhitish, bark shaggy | C. ovata | ||
| CC. | Leaflets 7-9; leaves 15-20 inches long, nutreddish-brown | C. laciniosa | ||
| CCC. | Leaflets 7-9; leaves 8-12 inches long,hairy | C. tomentosa | ||
| BB. | Buds small; twigs slender; nut angled. | C. tomentosa | ||
| 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; kernelsweet | C. ovalis | ||
| CCC. | Leaflets usually 7; leaves 10-12 incheslong; 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.
BITTERNUT HICKORY
Twig, one-half natural size. Leaf, one-third natural size.