User:KatieABees173/Carya floridana

Introduction
Hickories (carya sp.) are one of the most widespread tree species in the United States and Canada. Carya species in the United States range from the East Coast to the Midwest, with none being found on the West Coast. There is estimated to be 12 to 20 estimated native species of hickories in the United States. Well known hickories include the Water hickory ( Carya aquatica), Bitternut Hickory ( Carya cordiformis), the Pecan (Carya illnoinensis), and multiple others. There are 20 species of hickory are native to the United States. Most hickory species occur along the East Coast of the United States and Canada, with one species in Mexico. Hickories are the most widespread in the Southeastern United States, including Florida, which is where the scrub hickory ( Carya floridana), originates from. Florida has 7 species of hickory, and one walnut species. The name Carya comes from the greek word "Karya", which means nut.

Hickories provide numerous ecosystem services such as shelter, food, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestering and air purification. Hickories are also used for lumber production, cultural usage, landscaping, grilling, and medicinal usage. Various Native Americans used the barks of hickory for medicinal teas, for ailments such as colds and digestive issues. Chewed hickory bark can was used for a sore mouth, and inner hickory bark was used for cuts, scrapes, and other injuries to the skin. Hickories were also commonly used to make tools. In the 18th century, people used them for wagon spokes, axe handles, and other parts/goods. Hickories and pecans are edible, and the nuts are enjoyed by both humans and animals alike. Multiple animals are dependent on the hickory tree for survival. These include the Luna Moth (Actias luna), the Hickory Horned Devil (Citheronia regalis), and numerous other insects. Snakes and other reptiles depend on hickories for shelter. Birds nest/feed on hickories, and mammals such as mice, squirrels, deer, and others, also used the hickory for food and shelter. In the modern day, hickories are now used for lumber, and grilling, as hickory wood is said to give roasted meat a nice " smoky flavor".

Growth
Carya floridana, otherwise known as the scrub hickory, is the smallest of all the hickory species. It can only reach upwards to 25 meters! The scrub hickory grows in habitats such as the sand barrens, sand pine woods, and other scrub habitats.

Ecology
The Scrub Hickory is host to many organisms, such as Burrowing Wolf Spiders (Geolycosa sp.) The most common secies in scrub hickory habitats include the Archbold's Burrowing Wolf Spider (G.xera archibaldi). Longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) are also common on scrub hickories. One particular species ( Ancylocera bicolor) was proven to use the Scrub Hickory as a host plant

Taxonomy (Old Stub)
It is geographically separated from the similar black hickory (Carya texana). The scrub hickory intergrades with the pignut hickory (Carya glabra) where ranges overlap.

Genetics[edit]
Scrub hickory is a 64-chromosome species.

Taxonomy (Updated Article)
The Scrub Hickory is the order Fagales and it is in the family Juglandaceae, which consists of hickories and walnuts.. It is in the genus Carya, which all hickory species are in. The Scrub hickory was identified and named by Charles Sprague Sargent. It was originally named Hicorius floridana. The scrub hickory is related to the pignut hickory (Carya glabra), and the black hickory (Carya texicana). It is also closely related to the sand hickory. The scrub hickory can hybridize with the pignut hickory.

Range
The Scrub Hickory is native to Florida, and no records of it are found in other Southeastern states. No records are found of it anywhere else along the East Coast. The Scrub Hickory is found in De Soto, Orange, and Valusia county. Records of the tree state that they are also found in Pensacola Bay and Jupiter Island.

Soils & Care
Scrub hickories propagate well in sandy, loamy or clay soils. Well drained soils are best for propagation. The best soil pH is a mildly basic, neutral or alkaline number. US Hardiness zones for the scrub hickory are from Zone 8 to Zone 10.It is unknown what other hardiness zones the scrub hickory can tolerate, as its mostly native to Florida, but it is inferred that the scrub hickory could propagate well within parts of the lower Southeastern states. The scrub hickory is tolerant of moist or dry soils. It is a shade intolerant tree. Scrub hickories cannot tolerate brackish or salt water, and they cannot tolerate salty spray or wind. Optimal planting time is through April to May, as it flowers in spring. The scrub hickory is said to be a good tree species for landscaping.

Physiology
Scrub hickories are angiosperms, dicots, and are deciduous. The tallest height the scrub hickory can grow u to is 47 ft. but the typical height is 15 to 30 ft. Most scrub hickories are small, resembling shrubs. The bark of the scrub hickory is a light gray, and the texture can vary from smooth to fissured. Branches are a reddish-brown color, and can be scaly or glabrous. The leaves are compound, and are usually yellowish green. Leaves are in pairs of 3 to 5, but some have been reported to have 7. Older leaves have a rusty tint on the underside. Outer leaf buds are also covered in rust colored scales. The flowers are pistillate and also staminate, which consist of 3 branched catkins, and tightly crowded clusters. The nuts of the scrub hickory are oblong/oval shaped. The nut is thick shelled and hard to crack. Only one nut per flower cluster makes it to maturity. The meat of the nut is said to be sweet, and high in nutritional value, more so than the other Carya and Qercus species it shares habitats with. The scrub hickory can hybridize with the Pignut hickory (Carya glabra).

Uses
Scrub hickories are commonly used as food sources by multiple animals, as the nuts are high in protein and fats. The nuts are also higher in macronutrients such as cooer, zinc, iron, and other minerals. As with most hickories, the nuts are edible, including the nuts of the scrub hickory. They are not commonly consumed, however, as the outer shells of the nuts are hard to open. Most scrub hickory nuts are not ingested by humans for this reason, although small animals like squirrels and birds enjoy the fruits of the scrub hickory. Common birds that feed on the scrub hickory include the Florida Scrub Jay, the blue jay, the red bellied woodpecker and the red headed woodpecker. Larger mammals such as bears, raccoons, foxes, mice and feral hogs are reported to eat the nuts of the scrub hickory. It is unclear if white-tailed deer feed upon the scrub hickory.

The only other form of usage for the scrub hickory is for landscaping reasons. It is unclear if the scrub hickory is used for lumber or other revenue. This is because scrub hickories can tolerate hurricanes.

A railroad station in Highlands county is named after the scrub hickory. It was changed from "Red Hills" to "Hicoria", as is the local post office.

It is unclear if the scrub hickory is used as lumber, or related services.