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Little Walnut

Juglans microcarpa

Other common name(s):

Nogalito, Texas Walnut, Texas Black Walnut, River Walnut, Nogalillo, Namboca

Family:

Juglandaceae (Walnut Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts, Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairies
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Northern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

20
to
30
ft.

Spread

20
to
30
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Loam, Clay, Rocky, Limestone, Alkaline

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Green

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Fall Color, Nuts

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Small Mammals

Maintenance

All seasons: Protect seedlings from browsers until established. . Trees emit juglones into the soil which prevent many other plants from growing nearby. Little walnut is an excellent woody plant for stabilizing sand and gravel bars in riparian areas. Drought-tolerant and native to western half of Texas in scattered canyons. Grows in limestone soils. Propagation: Seed.

Comments

Small, deciduous tree or shrub, usually only 20’ in height. Its smooth or lightly furrowed branches form a broad, rounded crown. Compound leaves are long, narrow and yellow-green. Trees fruit at 15-20 years. Nuts are the smallest of the Walnut species. Squirrels and other rodents consume these nuts, which are mostly shell. Provides good cover and nesting for wildlife. Flowers are poisonous.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=JUMI. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Juglans+microcarpa&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=13102&locationType=County&mapType=No, 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=19253#nullrmal. 7) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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