Science & Nature • Nut

Pecan

The pecan is a species of hickory, *Carya illinoinensis*, native to temperate North America and grown for its edible seed, commonly called a pecan nut.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The pecan is a species of hickory, *Carya illinoinensis*, native to temperate North America and grown for its edible seed, commonly called a pecan nut. It is widely used in cooking and baking, especially in desserts such as pecan pie and pastries. The tree is part of the walnut family and is notably the state tree of Texas.

Description

Pecan refers both to the tree *Carya illinoinensis* and its edible nut. It is a hickory in the walnut family, with a smooth, oblong, thin-shelled seed commonly used as food.

Distribution and cultivation

The species is native to temperate North America, especially river-basin regions of the central and southern United States and parts of Mexico. It is now commercially cultivated in warm regions, with major production in the United States.

Culinary uses

Pecans are eaten raw or processed into salted, sweetened, or baked products. They are especially associated with desserts, including pecan pie and pralines.

Nutritional characteristics

Pecans are notable for their high fat content compared with many other plant foods. Sources describe them as rich and calorie-dense, with a substantial share of their fat being unsaturated.

Key facts

Pecans are the edible seeds of *Carya illinoinensis*, a hickory tree native to North America.
The nut is smooth, thin-shelled, and commonly eaten raw, salted, sweetened, or in baked goods.
Pecans are used in desserts such as pecan pie, coffee cakes, and pralines.
The tree is cultivated widely in warmer parts of the United States and in Mexico.
Pecans are known for their relatively high fat content.

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Canadian context

Pecans are sold in Canada as a baking ingredient and snack food, especially in desserts and holiday cooking, but they are not native to Canada.[1][3]

Frequently asked questions

What is a pecan?

A pecan is the edible nut of the hickory tree *Carya illinoinensis*.

Where are pecans native to?

Pecans are native to temperate North America, especially the southern United States and northern Mexico.

How are pecans used?

They are eaten raw or salted and are widely used in baking and desserts such as pecan pie and coffee cakes.

Is a pecan a true nut?

Botanically, it is often described as a drupe-like fruit with a single stone or pit, though it is commonly called a nut.

What family does the pecan belong to?

It belongs to the walnut family, Juglandaceae.

What is a well-known state symbol associated with pecans?

The pecan is the state tree of Texas.

References

Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/pecan
Supports: Scientific name, family, native range, edible nut, culinary uses, high fat content
Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pecan
Supports: Definition of pecan as tree and nut, broad cultivation range
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecan
Supports: Native range, culinary uses, state tree of Texas, drupe note
Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/pecan
Supports: Tree and nut definitions, Texas state tree, Algonquian etymology note
Collins English Dictionary — https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/pecan
Supports: Nut/tree definition and Texas state tree note
University of Florida IFAS — https://ffgs.ifas.ufl.edu/tree-tour/pecan/
Supports: Tree size, native range, culinary and timber uses
Mississippi Encyclopedia — https://mississippiencyclopedia.org/entries/pecans/
Supports: Native American use, fat content, storage characteristics
USDA NRCS — https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/cs_cail2.pdf
Supports: Native distribution and river-basin habitat