Carya illinoinensis (Pecan)

The pecan (Carya illinoinensis) is a species of hickory native to the southern United States and northern Mexico in the region of the Mississippi River.

The pecan tree is a large deciduous tree, growing to 20–45m in height,  12–24m across with a trunk up to 2m in diameter. A 10-year-old sapling grown in optimal conditions will stand about 5m tall. The leaves are alternate, 30–45cm long, and pinnate with 9–17 leaflets, each leaflet 5–12 cm long and 2–6cm across.

The tree is cultivated for its seed primarily in the U.S. states of Georgia, New Mexico, and Texas, and in Mexico. The seed is an edible nut used as a snack and in various recipes, such as praline candy and pecan pie. The pecan is the state nut of Alabama, Arkansas, California, Texas and Louisiana, and is also the state tree of Texas.