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Torreya yunnanensis
  • Yunnan Nutmeg Yew

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Torreya genus in the family Cephalotaxaceae.

Niche
  • Secondary canopy
    Secondary canopy
    Plants which inhabit the area directly below the canopy.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Torreya yunnanensis has 2 edible uses listed
Torreya yunnanensis has 2 material uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Seed[1]. No more details are given but it is likely that the seed can be eaten raw or cooked and is rich in oil. An edible oil is obtained from the seed.

Unknown part

Oil

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

An oil is extracted from the seed[2]. The high quality timber is used in constructing houses, bridges, and furniture, and for making implements and utensils[2].

Unknown part

Oil
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Torreya yunnanensis.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Secondary canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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[3]. Cuttings do not grow well[4].

Layering.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Torreya yunnanensis. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, tolerating some lime[3]. Requires a sheltered position and either high humidity or a moist riverside soil[5]. Dislikes wind exposure[5]. Tolerates woodland shade very well[5]. Requires hot, very humid summers for best growth[5].

A vulnerable species in the wild, where it is at risk of becoming extinct[2]. This species is not hardy in all parts of Britain, but trees can be grown outdoors in the milder parts of the country[1]. The seed takes two summers to mature[6]. There is some confusion over the correct name of this species, with some authorities seeing it as no more than a sub-species of T. fargesii[2].

Plants are dioecious, but sometimes monoecious with dioecious branches. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Torreya yunnanensis. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Torreya yunnanensis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Torreya yunnanensis
Genus
Torreya
Family
Cephalotaxaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1]
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
[2]
Botanic
[5][2]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
  • Unknown part (Oil)
  • Seed (Unknown use)
Material uses
  • Unknown part (Oil)
  • Unknown part (Wood)
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Secondary canopy
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    slow
    Mature Size
    15 x meters
    Fertility
    self sterile
    Pollinators
    Wind
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    dioecious











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm ISBN 0-7470-2801-X (1987-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.5 [Flora of China] (1994-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    4. ? Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    6. ? Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)


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