Scientific Family
Juglandaceae
Synonyms
Juglans elaeopyren, Juglans microcarpa var. major, Juglans rupestris
Other common names
Arizona black walnut
New Mexico walnut
Plant type
Trees
Riparian
Yes
Plant Description
Origin
Native
Similar species
Sapindus saponaria drummondii, Ailanthus
Deciduous tree with a stout trunk, ascending branches and fissured bark. Large, alternate, odd-pinnate leaves with 9 to 15 serrate leaflets. Fruits develop a thick shell with deep grooves enclosing an oily, edible seed/nut.
Leaves alternate, odd-pinnate with 9 to 15 leaflets, lance-like with pointed tips and toothed margins. Flowers in catkins; male flowers with 4 to 40 stamens in 2 or more series, female flowers with 4 sepals and 4 petals.
Height
20 to 40 feet
Width
To 45 feet
Habitat
Habitat description
Along streams and in canyons.
Plant Community
Riparian
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
7000
Leaves
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaf hairs
Bottom of leaves
Spines
No
Leaf Drop
Deciduous
Odd-pinnately compound, 8 to 12 inches long with 9 to 15 lance-shaped coarsely toothed leaflets to 4 inches long. The last leaflet is often smaller or absent. Leaves hairy on lower surface when young, later becoming smooth.
Flowers
Flower color
Green
Flower shape
Other
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
May
Male and female flowers separate on the same tree. Male flowers are in hanging catkins while female flowers, which usually do not have petals, are single or in erect clusters at the end of the last year's shoots. Blooms before or during leaf development.
Flower clusters
Elongated
Fruit
Fruit color
Brown
Fruit type
Nut or nut-like
Round, 1-1/2 inches diameter, smooth husk, initially bright green but turning brown with inner hard shelled, deeply grooved sweet nut. Matures in fall.