Foliage is very fragrant when crushed. Foliage is densely pubescent beneath, giving rise to the scientific name. The flowers, like those of all other hickories, are monoecious. The male flowers are borne in three-branched catkins. May. The fruit is oval, or nearly round, to slightly pear-shaped.
Fruits have a very thick, strong-scented husk which splits nearly to the base when ripe.
The color is light brown and the nut has a very thick shell with a small, sweet kernel.