Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Juglans major (Torrey) Heller
(Arizona Walnut)


Family: Juglandaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
None

Juglans major is frequently seen as a tall shrub, but with age and enough water, it can become quite a large tree. The leaves are pinnately compound and the leaflets are serrate. The pith is chambered and best seen by slicing a young branch tangentially with a knife (carefully!) Juglans major probably intergrades with Juglans microcarpa from elsewhere in the state, and individual plants may have characteristics of both. The fruit (technically a drupe) is initially covered with a thick green husk, which eventually peels away revealing the stone which contains a single two lobed seed. In winter, the twigs bear heart-shaped leaf scars containing three bundle scars. Juglans major is very commonly found in dry washes and canyons.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Juglans major, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., CF Canyon, May 2, 2007



Juglans major, in fruit, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Saddlerock Canyon, July 11, 2007



Juglans major, in fruit, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Saddlerock Canyon, Aug. 17, 2008



Juglans major, macro of chambered pith, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Rte. 180 at Mangas Road, Dec. 1, 2008



Juglans major, staminate flowers, photo Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger, Black Range, North Percha Creek, May 4, 2009



Juglans major, pistillate flowers, photo Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger, Black Range, North Percha Creek, May 4, 2009



Juglans major, winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Mangas Creek Road, December 27, 2009



Juglans major, 3x macro of winter twig with heart shaped leaf scars containing three bundle scars, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Mangas Creek Road, December 27, 2009



Juglans major, closeup of stone (endocarp), photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Mangas Creek Road, January 27, 2010



Juglans major, closeup of bissected stone (endocarp) with shriveled seed, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Mangas Creek Road, January 27, 2010



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