Scientific name - Carya illinoinensis
Pecan tree has the scientific name Carya illinoinensis; it comes under the deciduous category of trees with a height of 20-40 meters, and a diameter of 2 meters. The leaves are of pinnate type with a length of 5-12 centimeters and breadth of 2-6 centimeters. Talking about the fruit of the pecan it is a drupe a seed covered by the pulp with a hard husk surrounded to it, the husk is initially green after it attains maturity turns to be brown, the length of the fruit is 6 cm maximum and the breadth is 1.18 maximum.
Nutritional Value of Pecan Fruit
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
---|---|
Energy | 2,889 kJ (690 kcal) | Carbohydrates | 13.86 |
Starch | 0.46 |
Sugars | 3.97 |
Dietary fiber | 9.6 |
Fat | 71.97 |
Saturated | 6.18 |
Monounsaturated | 40.801 |
Polyunsaturated | 21.614 |
Protein | 9.17 |
Vitamins | |
Vitamin A equiv. beta-carotene lutein zeaxanthin | (0%)29 µg 17 µg |
Vitamin A | 56 IU |
Thiamine (B1) | (57%) 0.66 mg |
Riboflavin (B2) | (11%) .13 mg |
Niacin (B3) | (8%) 1.167 mg |
Pantothenic acid (B5) | (17%) 0.863 mg |
Vitamin B6 | (16%) 0.21 mg |
Folate (B9) | (6%) 22 µg |
Vitamin C | (1%) 1.1 mg |
Vitamin E | (9%) 1.4 mg |
Vitamin K | (3%) 3.5 µg |
Trace metals | |
Calcium | (7%) 70 mg |
Iron | (19%) 2.53 mg |
Magnesium | (34%) 121 mg |
Manganese | (214%) 4.5 mg |
Phosphorus | (40%) 277 mg |
Potassium | (9%) 410 mg |
Sodium | (0%) 0 mg |
Zinc | (48%) 4.53 mg |
Other constituents | |
Water | 3.52 |
Health Benefits of Pecan Fruit
The major health benefits are increasing bone health, teeth health, additively due to its high level of calcium content it’s used for quick muscle building and recovery of them in case of injuries.
It is efficient in averting breast cancer and cardiac arrests. Furthermore, it helps in lowering the complications of blood pressure, stoke risk and inflammation.
Another important benefit is that it helps the body to exterminate the waste in the kidneys and thereby helping weight loss too.
It also helps the skin by repairing the tissues and cells.
Due to its good content of Fe it helps to reduce the effect of anemia and vision problems.
Pecans are considered the most cultivated crops lately, The U.S leads in the production of the most of Pecans, with 200 thousand tones and the average life span of the Pecan is 300 years. Since they don’t have the ability of self-fertilization they are obtained from clones. The harvesting period is on October. For correct pollination the height must be 250 feet, there are two types of cultivars based on time, they are protandrous and protogynous. The pecans have an alternate bearing index which attracts the cultivators, choosing them can be a difficult process.
Down the history there are about 1,000 cultivars of Pecan announced but only 3 are being used in Georgia orchards, 500 exist. The Native Americans before the European settlement cultivated them. Interestingly, about 78 pecans are used to make a single pecan pie. One acre after harvest produces 1,000 pounds of Pecans, Pecans are considered the most fruit bearing tree among all.