Black walnut (Juglans nigra, Sp. Pl.: 997 (1753))

Family: Juglandaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 997 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Juglans

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. Canada to C. & E. U.S.A.

Description

The Black Walnut, known scientifically as Juglans nigra, is a deciduous tree that has achieved notable recognition since its early classification by the eminent 18th-century botanist, Carl Linnaeus, who first documented it in “Species Plantarum” in 1753. This significant tree is indigenous to a large geographical area extending from Southeastern Canada through the central and eastern regions of the United States.

Belonging to the Juglandaceae family, the Black Walnut is acclaimed both for its robust timber and its nutritional nuts. Its towering stature and widespread crown make it a striking feature in the landscape, commonly reaching heights of 30 to 40 meters. The leaves are pinnate, usually consisting of 15 to 23 leaflets that contribute to its lush, green appearance in the growing season.

The tree’s fruit, the walnut, is encased in a distinctive, rough husk that falls to the ground in autumn. These nuts are not only a feast for wildlife but have also been harvested for centuries by humans for their rich, oily kernels, which are utilized in various culinary applications. However, handling the nuts can be tricky due to the persistent and staining dye found in their husks.

Historically, Black Walnut wood has been highly valued for its density, fine grain, and dark color, making it a preferred material in the crafting of furniture, cabinets, and gunstocks. The economic importance of this timber cannot be overstated, as it commands a high price on the market.

A noteworthy ecological aspect of the Black Walnut is its allelopathic properties; the tree produces a chemical called juglone, which can inhibit the growth of certain plants within its root zone. This has implications for gardening and forest ecosystems, as certain species may struggle to establish themselves near Black Walnuts.

Overall, the Black Walnut stands as a tree of immense ecological, economic, and cultural value, deeply rooted in the natural heritage of North America.

Common Names

Eng: black walnut, noyer noir, eastern black walnut, american walnut
Fra: noyer d’amérique, noyer noir, noyer noir d’amérique
Deu: schwarz-walnuss, schwarze walnuss, schwarznuss, schwarznuß, schwarze walnuß
Dan: sort valnød
Por: black-walnut, nogueira, nogueira-americana, nogueira-negra, nogueira-preta
Hun: fekete dió
Spa: nogal americano, nogal negro
Ces: ořešák
Swe: svart valnöt
Nld: zwarte walnoot
En: Black walnut, Otaesémenôtse, ᎬᎿᎨ ᏎᏗ, Noyer noir, Eastern black walnut, American walnut
Ar: جوز أسود
Hy: Ընկուզենի սև
Az: Qara qoz
Eu: Intxaurrondo beltz
Be: Арэх чорны
Br: Gwez-kraoñ du
Bg: Черен орех
Zh: 黑核桃
Hr: Crni orah
Cs: Ořešák černý, Ořešák
Da: Sort valnød
Nl: Zwarte walnoot, Okkernoot, Zwaarte Walnoot
Et: Must pähklipuu
Fi: Mustajalopähkinä
Fr: Noyer noir, Noyer noir d’Amérique, Noyer d’Amérique
De: Schwarznuß, Schwarze Walnuß, Schwarznuss, Schwarz-Walnuss, Schwarze Walnuss, Amerikanisch Nußbaum
Hu: Fekete dió
It: Noce nero, Noce nero d’America
Ko: 흑호두나무
Lt: Juodasis riešutmedis
Mk: Црн орев
No: Svart valnøtt
Fa: گردوی سیاه
Pl: Orzech czarny
Pt: Nogueira-preta, Black-walnut, Nogueira, Nogueira-americana, Nogueira-negra
Ru: Орех чёрный
Sr: Црни орах
Sk: Orech čierny
Es: Nogal americano, Nogal negro, Črni oreh, Nogal borde, Nogal negro de America
Sv: Svart valnöt
Zh-tw: 黑胡桃
Tr: Kara ceviz
Uk: Горіх чорний

Synonyms

• Wallia nigra ((L.) Alef.)
• Juglans pitteursii (C.Morren)
• Juglans rugosa (Dode)
• Juglans nigra oblonga (Marshall)
• Juglans nigra f. oblonga ((Marshall) Fernald)
• Juglans nigra f. laciniata (Rehder)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• North Caucasus (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Oct 19, 2020 by gideon van melle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Oct 24, 2021 by Thomas Billiaux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2020 by Florent Beck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2019 by Krystal Krystal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 30, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 4, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Juliette PAULY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2020 by Florent Beck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2021 by Sara G. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 19, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2022 by Jarod Dedeo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − A. Michael BAINES (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2021 by Otter MacAilein (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Mar 17, 2020 by Therese Stewart (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2014 by EOL − Marv Elliott (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 22, 2019 by MoonLit Path (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2003 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2022 by Jose Walk (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:279034-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3054357)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Juglans nigra L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Stem

Growth habit: Tree

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.2

Ph minimum: 4.6

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 6