Juglandaceae

Juglans ailantifolia

Common Names: Japanese walnut

Plant Form: Medium deciduous tree. Size: Up to 15 m tall. Stem: Cracked and grey bark. Leaves: Up to 90 cm long, in 4-8 opposite pairs of leaflets with a single leaflet at the end. Hairy underneath and with serrated edges. Dull green colour. Flowers: Male flowers are yellow-green and in hanging clusters. Female flowers covered with purple hairs, have obvious pink-red or whitish green stigmas, and clustered on upright spikes with swollen bases. Fruit and Seeds: In clusters of up to 22. Green ripening to light brown, containing hard and thick-shelled nuts, 25-40 mm diameter, covered in a furry husk when young. Habitat: Waterways, pastures, forests, shrublands, roadsides. Distinguishing Features: Has less glossy leaves than Black walnut (Juglans nigra). Is generally shorter and has more serrated leaf edges than Persian walnut (Juglans regia). Also has larger flower and fruit clusters than both of these species.