Abundance: plentiful
What: nuts
How: raw, cooked
Where: pecan trees
When: fall
Nutritional Value: carbohydrates and protein
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate arrangement of compound leaves.
Leaf Shape: Odd-pinnate compound leaves with typically 9 to 17 leaflets.
Leaf Size: Individual leaflets are usually 2 to 6 inches in length, depending on location along the petile.
Leaf Color: Green foliage, with variations in shades.
Leaf Margin: Serrated leaflet margins.
Vein Patterns: Pinnate venation pattern on each leaflet. Center vein may not be perfectly centered on leaflet.
Flower Structure: Inconspicuous, appearing as long, drooping catkins.
Flower Color: Male catkins are yellow-green, while female flowers are reddish.
Fruit (Pecans): Large, brownish, football-shaped seeds (nuts), with lengths ranging from 1 to 2 inches, encased in a thick green husk. Husk usually splits open along four long seams to reveal a mottled, brown-shelled nut.
Seed Size: Pecans are typically 1 to 2 inches in length.
Bark: Gray to brown, with peeling, deep furrows and ridges as the tree matures.
Pecan nut
Ripe pecan nuts on tree.
Almost-ripe pecans (picture taken early August in East Texas).
Pecan tree.
Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping.
North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.
What truly needs to be said about pecans in Texas?
Best. Wild. Food. Ever!
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