Carya glabra -Miller-
pignut hickory


Entry Type: Species

Species Name: Carya glabra -Miller-

Common Name: pignut hickory

Myaamia Name: paapahsaahkimiši

Description:

Harvest Seasons: Summer, Fall, Spring

Harvest Comments:

Habitats: Oak Forest including Oak-Hickory, Beech-Oak-Maple Mixed Mesophytic, Dry Prairie grasslands

Uses: Food, Technology

Locations: Undetermined

Sources

Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Use - Food/Technology

Archival Data:

"paciani'kopa, Peorias call this pignut"

Comments: N/A

Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Archives

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

There were Carya sp. charcoal remains and other hickory nutshells found in sample 082, 082 & 085,  from the New Lennox remains.

Comments: N/A

Tippman, D. 1999

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

Nuts gathered for food

Comments: N/A

Coulter, S 1899

Reference Type: Description

Archival Data:

Carya glabra is the only pignut hickory mentioned in Coulter's flora of Indiana, and this species was widely distributed throughout the state, a tree up to 120 feet high with 3-5 foot diameters. C. cordiformis is not mentioned.

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. 1919

Reference Type: Use - Technology

Archival Data:

"If they wanted canoes lighter than dug-outs, they made them of the bark of the water-elm or hickory, the pig-nut hickory being considered best. They cut down a tree, peeled off the bark with flat sticks. In the spring, when the trees were beginning to leave, the bark came off easily, and at other times they had to pound it to loosen it".

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Use - Technology

Archival Data:

Bark used for sugar-sap containers, wood for drying tables. " . . . this kind [of hickory wood] also used for tables for drying corn, berries, or fruit. In this case, poles were placed in forked sticks. Bark used for sugar troughs--the ends were bent up, fastened, soaked and straightened out and laid up like shingles when dry for use the following uear. These would last for several years. Boxes also made of this wood".

Comments: N/A

Bogue, E.E. 1900 , March

Reference Type: Description

Archival Data :

Carya cordiformis is much more common throughout Missouri than C. glabra, and both are commonly called Pignut hickory, suggesting that C. glabra was not common in the past in northeastern Oklahoma, although it was mentioned from one account in Oklahoma.

Comments: N/A

Small, J.K. 1903

Reference Type: Description

Archival Data :

Carya glabra is the only pignut hickory mentioned in Small's flora, a tree up to 180 feet high and 4.5 foot diameters. C. cordiformis is not mentioned.

Comments: N/A

Gleason, H.A. and Cronquist, A. 1991

Reference Type: Habitat

Archival Data :

Occurs in upland woods in eastern and western Myaamia lands.

Comments: N/A

Blair, E 1911

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

Perrot describes a nut about 2 inches long that is bitter and oily and inedible which could be referring to the pignut, although it is not that bitter.

Comments: N/A

Steyermark, J.A. 1963

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

Early settlers obtained an oil from the nut that was used in oil lamps and in the treatment of rheumatism.

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

Dunn noted that the Myaamia term "pa'cianikopa" was used by the Peoria for the pignut hickory only.

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. 1909

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

The Peoria term cited by Dunn for pignut hickory tree is also used by the eastern Myaamia as a generic for all hickory trees.

Comments: N/A

Gatschet, A.S. ca. 1895

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

"kwassianikupa, smooth-bark [pignut] hickory"

Comments: N/A

Legends

  • L.: L. stands for Carl Linneaus, a Swedish botanist and zoologist living from 1707 - 1778, who formed the binomial nomenclature system for scientific naming of species (the two part name). His initial after a scientific name indicates he was the authority for that species name.
  • sp.: Indicates the actual species name cannot or need not be specified. Example: Lilium sp. indicates a single species in the genus Lilium that is not known or does not need to be specified.
  • spp.: (plural) indicates "several species", two or more species of the given genus. Example: Lilium spp. indicates 2 or more species in the genus that cannot or do not need to be distinguished.
  • Use - Unknown: A record for this plant exists but does not include explicit information about the plant's cultural use. It is probable the Myaamia used the plant.
  • Botanical Sources: Sources of any botanical data for this plant species that is not related to its cultural use or significance.
  • Related Sources: Data indirectly related to Myaamia ethnobotany, including non-Myaamia uses of the plant in contemporary and historic times.
  • Myaamia Archival Sources: All records of plant use obtained directly from a Myaamia tribal member in an interview, recorded by a second party or by self-recording.
  • Undetermined (Plant Use): There exists use or other information about a certain, unknown plant species, but the specific species has not yet been determined.
  • Medicinal: For the purposes of this database, medicinal uses of plants and medicinal knowledge are defined as: Commonly held communal knowledge regarding the use of plant-based substances that aid in maintaining a healthy mind, body or spirit, including tonics and teas.
  • Technology: For the purposes of this database, technological uses of plants are defined as: Plants used in the making of food processing, canoes, rafts, dyes, tools, utensils, weapons, hunting and fishing gear (i.e. net, weir, etc.), cordage, string, rope, fodder plant species, firewood, any plants used in trade, etc.
  • Material: For the purposes of this database, material uses of plants are defined as: Plants used in construction of dwellings (floor mats, roofing, side walls), furniture, baskets, storage items, musical instruments, games, crafts, jewelry, cordage used in crafts, etc.
  • Food: For the purposes of this database, food uses of plants are defined as: Plants used as consumed food, spices and seasonings, but not teas or tonics.
  • Customs: For the purposes of this database, customary uses of plants are defined as: Plants involved in a customary ceremony, ritual or traditional event, including ritual smoking, chewing tobacco, war rituals, special mats used to sit on during ceremonies. Customary uses of plants, in this database, does not including plants used for recreation (material), structures where ceremonies take place (material) or medicinal smoking (medicinal).
  • Eastern Myaamia Lands: Eastern Myaamia lands (eastern myaamionki) are centered around northern Indiana, and including western Ohio, eastern Illinois, southern Michigan, and the northernmost portions of Kentucky.
  • Western Myaamia Lands: Western Myaamia lands (western myaamionki) include western Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma.