bitter hickory
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A species of hickory tree native to the eastern United States: It is characterized by leaves composed of 7 or 9 leaflets and by producing nuts with thin shells that have an intensely bitter taste. Its scientific name is Carya cordiformis, and it is also commonly known as the bitternut hickory or swamp hickory.
Usage Examples
- The bitter hickory is easily identified in the forest by its distinctive yellow winter buds.
- Although squirrels sometimes cache them, the nuts of the bitter hickory are generally avoided by wildlife due to their extreme bitterness.
- The wood of the bitter hickory is strong and elastic, making it valuable for tool handles.
Advanced Usage
- The term is primarily used in botanical, forestry, and naturalist contexts to specify this particular tree species.
- It can be used descriptively to emphasize the unpalatable nature of the nut, even in comparison to other hickories.
Variants and Related Words
- Bitternut Hickory: The most common synonym for .
- Swamp Hickory: Another common name, referring to its common habitat in bottomlands and wet forests.
- Carya cordiformis: The scientific (Latin) name for the species.
- Pignut Hickory (): A related hickory species with less bitter nuts.
- Shagbark Hickory (): A related hickory species known for its sweet nuts and shaggy bark.
Synonyms
- Bitternut hickory
- Swamp hickory
- (scientific name)
Antonyms
- There is no direct antonym for a tree species. However, in terms of nut flavor, a contrasting species would be the Shellbark Hickory (), which produces large, sweet nuts.
Related Phrases/Compounds
- Bitter hickory nut: The specific fruit of the bitter hickory tree.
- Bitter hickory wood: The timber from this tree.
Noun
- hickory of the eastern United States having a leaves with 7 or 9 leaflets and thin-shelled very bitter nuts