(Carya illinoinensis [Carya illinoensis])
Family: Juglandaceae

Description
Large wild and planted tree with tall trunk, broad rounded crown of massive spreading branches and familiar pecan nuts. Height is 100 ft. (30 m). Diameter is 3 ft. (0.9 m). Leaves are 12–20 in. (30–51 cm) long, pinnately compound, sickle-shaped leaflets, yellow-green above and paler beneath. Leaves turn yellow in autumn. Bark is light brown or gray, deeply and irregularly furrowed into narrow forked scaly ridges. Flowers are tiny and greenish, occurring in early spring. Fruit is 1.25–2 in. (3–5 cm) long, oblong and short-pointed at tip. The pecan nut is light brown with darker markings, thin-shelled, with edible seed.

Habitat
Moist well-drained loamy soils of river flood plains and valleys. Also found in mixed hardwood forests. Non-native to New Mexico.

Discussion
This is one of the most valuable cultivated plants originating in North America. The wood is used for furniture, flooring, veneer and charcoal for smoking meats.