THE TREE AND ITS FORMS. 



17 



The bitter pecan is generally a small tree and seldom reaches a 

 diameter of more than 2 feet, though it frequently forms a long 

 clear hole. 



NUTMEG HICKORY. 



The nutmeg hickory (Hicoria myristicseformis) is a very distinct 

 species. It is a comparatively small tree, and rarely attains a diame- 

 ter of more than 2 feet. The bark is thin, brownish gray, and flakes 

 off in short plates. The twigs are slender and gray. The terminal 

 buds are from one-eighth to one-fourth of an inch long, rounded 

 and obtuse, and not long 

 and narrow as in the 

 pecan. The bud scales 

 are covered with a thick 

 brown or yellowish- 

 brown pubescence. The 

 axillary buds are much 

 smaller and narrower 

 than the terminals. The 

 leaves are composed of 

 from 5 to 1 1 narrow leaf- 

 ets, which are brownish 

 on the under surface and 

 give to the foliage a char- 

 acteristic yellowish or 

 brownish cast. The fruit 

 is less than an inch 

 long, usually slightly 

 elongated. The husk has 

 4 wings that extend from 

 the apex to the base, is 

 only one-eighth of an inch 

 thick, and generally splits 

 to the base. The nut has a bony shell and resembles a nutmeg in 

 size, shape, and color. The kernel is sweet. 



BITTERNUT. 



Bitternut (Ilicoria minima) is commonly known through its range 

 as "pignut" or "pig hickory," and in some places as "willow hick- 

 ory." The term "bitternut" is almost entirely a book name, and is 

 for the most part confined to botanies and to students of botany. This 

 gives rise to much confusion. The tree bears a strong resemblance 

 to the pecan and to the water hickory, especially in the bud charac- 

 ters. The twigs are slender and the buds are long and narrow, and 

 the valvate bud scales are covered with a bright yellow, glandular 

 pubescence, and are the most characteristic feature of the tree. The 

 51762 Bull. 8010 3 



FIG. 4. Bitternut (Hicoria minima) . Twig, natural size; leaf 

 and fruit, one-half natural size. 



