Carya cathayensis (common name Chinese hickory)[1] is a species of hickory native to China. It is slow growing and reaches a height of 20 meters, growing mostly on mountain slopes, valleys, and riverbanks from 400-1,500 meters in elevation and typically found in the provinces of Anhui, Guizhou, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang.[2] [3] Approximately 5,000 tons of hickory nuts can be produced from 16,000 hectares of trees, with the nuts being roasted or made into candy, and the oil used for cooking.[4]
Peeled and roasted nuts, known as 山核桃仁, are a well-known specialty of Hangzhou.