Hickories
Carya carolinae-septentrionalis
C. carolinae-septentrionalis
(Ashe) Engl. & Graebn.
Southern Shagbark
Hickory
Southern shagbark hickory is considered by some to be merely a
variety of C. ovata, rather than an independent species. Detailed
study of the two taxa has been conducted by Gibbon (1972). He
found C. ovata to be associated with more acid soils, having a
thicker surface horizon and coarser texture than C. carolinae-septentrionalis.
Southern shagbark was found on soils formed from basic parent
materials which were higher in calcium. This constitutes a level
of ecological adaptation, one of the criteria of species status.
The two taxa can be distinguished morphologically using the criteria
given in the discussion of C. ovata. As in the other undisputed
species, reproductive isolation has not been fully evaluated,
but is implied by the occurrence of both types of trees in sympatric
populations, despite the occurrence of occassional intermediates
which are evidently hybrids. The distribution of the species is
provided (distribution
map).
LJ Grauke
, Research Horticulturist
and Curator
USDA-ARS Pecan Genetics
10200 FM 50 S
Somerville, TX 77879
tele: 979-272-1402
fax: 979-272-1401
e-mail: ljg@tamu.edu
Return to Species Index
Return to Species
Key
Go to Literature Cited
Return to Main Index