Juglandaceae -- Walnut family

    John K. Francis

    Water hickory (Carya aquatica) is a major constituent of clay  flats and backwater areas near streams and rivers of the South.  Also known as bitter pecan, the species reproduces aggressively  from both seed and sprouts. Cutting practices that suppressed  competing species have allowed it to increase in better drained  areas. Because of "shake" and smaller size, water  hickory is deemed inferior to pecan (C. illinoensis) for  sawing. Water hickory is a major component of wetland forests now  considered important in cleansing drainage waters.