Juglans microcarpa
Little Walnut, Texas Walnut
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
A large 20' shrub or small tree 20-30' tall, rounded in habit, and branched low to the ground. Forms a broad, rounded crown.
Native Range
U.S. Native — Grows wild along hillsides,streambanks and dry, rocky ravines in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas.
Flower and Fruit Details
Yellow-green, monoecious flowers, male catkins are preformed, appearing as small, cone-like buds, elongating and hanging like green tassels from last year's twigs. Female flowers are in spikes of 2-8 flowers, which open as the spring leaves enlarge. The fruit is a nut, w/ a fleshy outer ovary wall. The endocarp (nut shell) is thick & hard, but the tiny nutmeat inside it is sweet & oily. Some sources call the fruit a drupe. The marble-sized nuts, mostly shell, are the smallest of any Juglans species.
Leaf and Bark Features
Deciduous: Leaves, 8-12" long, are alternate and pinnately compound, narrow and green or yellow-green above, but paler below. Leaflets 13-21, each 1.5-4" long, lanceolate to narrow-ovate, finely serrated, often curved, and aromatic when crushed. Yellow fall color. Bark on branches is smooth to lightly furrowed. Older trunks form vertical ridges, alternating silvery-gray and reddish-brown in color. Bark becomes dark gray, rough and deeply furrowed with age.
Culture and Care
Likes partial shade or full sun. Tolerates drought very well. Tolerates rocky soils, alkaline soils, and clay. Zone 6-8. Tolerates pH 6.1-7.5.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
Good wildlife value. 3-season interest: Spring, summer and fall. Host plant for the banded hairstreak butterfly.
Suggested Uses
Often used as a shade tree, and the small nuts do provide food for wildlife. Good in xeriscaping, plus butterfly and bird gardens. Also used in shelterbelt & wildlife plantings.