pecan

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Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)—Grant Heilman Photography

Nut and tree (Carya illinoinensis, or illinoensis) of the walnut family, native to temperate North America. Occasionally reaching a height of about 160 ft (50 m), the tree has deeply furrowed bark and feather-shaped leaves. Pecan nut meat, rich and distinctive in flavour and texture, has one of the highest fat contents of any vegetable product and a caloric value close to that of butter. Pecan production is a considerable industry of the southeastern U.S., where pecan pie and pecan praline candy are traditional sweets.

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