A plant species from the genus Hickory (Carya) of the nut family (Juglandaceae). The tree is up to 30 meters high. The bark of the trunk is brownish, covered with deep grooves, exfoliates in small plates. The buds are yellow (one of the distinguishing features of the species). The leaves are 15-25 cm long, unpaired, with 5-9 narrowly ovate or lanceolate leaflets.
The flowers are bisexual, staminate in earrings growing together 3 pieces up to 2.5 cm long, pistillate flowers - two on one peduncle.
The fruits are about 3.5 cm long, obovate in shape. The pericarp is yellowish-pubescent, opens at maturity with four leaves almost to the middle. The endocarp (nut) is round or obovate, with a point at the top, the shell is thin. The kernel is red-brown, bitter in taste.
Heart-shaped caria is cultivated as an ornamental plant. The nut tastes bitter, so it is not used in its pure form. Although in combination with various products, it gives a rather pleasant and unusual taste.