California Black Walnut
TREES
GENUS/SPECIES
Juglans californica
FAMILY
Juglandaceae
SYNONYMS
Common: Southern California Walnut
DISTRIBUTION
Southern California
- W Santa Barbara Co. southeastward to NW San Diego Co.
- SW San Bernardino Co. and NW Riverside Co.
- Possibly naturalized in San Luis Obispo and Monterey Cos.
Human Product Number - 222
Veterinary Product Number - 222
Comments
California black walnut, also known as California walnut or Southern California black walnut, is a rather small tree up to about 30 feet in height usually found in the foothills up to an elevation of 4500 feet but typically below 2500 feet. There may be several trunks, making it appear bushy. Bark is generally furrowed. Best development occurs in areas closer to the coast. This tree is commonly found in moist soils, often near streams. The compound leaves are up to about a foot long, each having some 9 to as many as 19 leaflets. Male flowers release large quantities of wind-borne pollen in the spring from catkins, and female flowers are produced in small clusters at the tip of the newly formed twigs. The nuts are formed inside round fruit approximately an inch in diameter. However, the hulls do not split open; the fruit are released as the hull decomposes or are opened by squirrels and other animals. The shell of the nut is rather smooth compared to other species of walnuts.
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