Carya Pollen

Carya, a small genus of deciduous trees commonly known as hickory or pecan trees, is native to North American, southeast Asia, and India. Twelve species are native to North America and at least nine of these are found in Oklahoma. Plantations and groves of Carya illinoiensis (the familiar pecan tree) are scattered through eastern and southern Oklahoma. Carya species are monoecious with male catkins and small clusters of female flowers on the same tree.

The pollen is large (38-50 µm) and triporate. The pores are not aspidate and lack an oncus. In Tulsa, Carya pollen is generally found in air samples from mid-April through May.