Sometimes, another pair of catkin groups are formed inside the inner scales of the central bud, opposite to each other and at right angles to the first two catkin groups. Each catkin group is enclosed by its own inner bud scales, and the entire compound bud, including lateral catkin groups and the shoot bud, is enclosed by the outer bud scale. Comparable studies have not been performed for pecan. The staminate inflorescence , or catkin groups, are composed of three aments or catkins , joined to a common stalk, or peduncle. Regardless of dichogamy class, the central catkin of a catkin group is usually the longest.
Cultivars vary in the quantity of catkins produced.
Some cultivars, such as 'Desirable'and 'Cape Fear', are known as heavy catkin producers, while others typically produce fewer catkins. Catkin production for a cultivar should be assessed at the beginning of anther dehiscence for that cultivar to insure maximum catkin presence. Assessments made over entire orchards on a single date may be inaccurate due to variation in catkin emergence between cultivars. Each individual staminate flower is composed of a central bract and two lateral bracteoles . From three to seven stamen develop in each staminate flower.