Quick answer: Bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis) is native to 12 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. No live listing of the true species was found as of 16 Sep 2026.
Photo: AnRo0002, Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Where it's native
Listed in the register as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun, Part Shade, Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Medium water, Moist |
| Soil | Rich soils, high calcium carbonate tolerance, circumneutral pH |
| Bloom | Bloom Apr |
| Height | Up to 150 ft tall |
| Wildlife value | Primary host for luna/funeral dagger/giant regal moths, attracts birds/butterflies |
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 16 Sep 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 16 Sep 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Also listed under
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