Torreya fargesii
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Torreya genus in the family Cephalotaxaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Cephalotaxaceae
- Genus
- Torreya
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- slow
- Height
- 20 m
- Fertility
- self sterile
- Flower type
- dioecious
- Pollinators
- Wind
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed[9]. No further details are given, but it is likely to be oily and to be eaten raw or cooked. An oil is obtained from the seed[2][5].
- Product or use
- Oil
- Plant part
- Seed
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An oil is extracted from the seed[8]. The high quality timber is used in constructing houses, bridges, and furniture, and making implements and utensils[8].
- Product or use
- Oil
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Secondary canopy
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - E. China.
- Habitat
- Woodlands, 1000 - 1600 metres[3]. Coniferous, mixed, and broad-leaved forests at an elevation of 1000 - 3400 metres[8].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- permanent shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Some of the seed should germinate in the following spring though much of it might take another 12 months. Stored seed requires a period of cold stratification and can take 18 months or more to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as growth is observed and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least the next couple of winters, making sure to pot them on into larger pots as and when required. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer when the plants are at least 20cm tall. Cuttings of half-ripe shoots in late summer[1]. Cuttings do not grow well[4]. Layering.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, tolerating some lime[1]. Requires a sheltered position and either high humidity or a moist riverside soil[6]. Dislikes wind exposure[6]. Tolerates woodland shade very well[6]. Requires hot, very humid summers for best growth[6]. This species is considered to be suitable for afforestation and reforestation in China[8].. Trees are hardy only in the milder areas of Britain[9]. The seed takes two summers to mature[7]. Plants are dioecious, but sometimes monoecious plants are seen bearing dioecious branches. Male and female plants must be grown if seed and fruit is required.
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X