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Torreya californica
  • California Nutmeg

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

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
  • Secondary canopy
    Secondary canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
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
  • very acid,acid,neutral,alkaline,very 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
  • 7
    Zone 7
    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 californica has 0 edible uses listed
Torreya californica has 0 material uses listed
Torreya californica has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Seed - raw or cooked[1]. The seeds are roasted and eaten[2]. They are rich in oil[3][4]. The ovoid seed is up to 2cm long[K]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[5][1].

Unknown part

Oil

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

The roots have been used as splints in basketry[2]. Wood - straight-grained, strong, light, soft, easily worked. Of no commercial value[6], though it is occasionally used for fence posts[7][6].

Unknown part

Basketry
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The nuts have been chewed as a treatment for indigestion[2]. A decoction of the nuts has been used in the treatment of tuberculosis[2]. The crushed seeds have been rubbed on the temples in the treatment of headaches[2]. They have also been rubbed on the body to cause sweating in the treatment of chills and fevers[2].

Unknown part

Analgesic
Diaphoretic
Febrifuge
Stomachic
TB

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy or 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[8]. Cuttings do not grow well[9].

Layering.

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



Cultivation

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, tolerating some lime[8]. Undemanding as to the soil pH[10]. Dislikes wind exposure[10]. Requires a sheltered position and either high humidity or a moist riverside soil[10]. Tolerates woodland shade very well[10].

One report says that trees are only hardy in the milder parts of Britain[8], whilst another says that trees are hardy in Britain at least as far north as Edinburgh[10]. This species is the only member of the genus that is fully adapted to cool maritime sites. It can actually grow faster in such a position than it does in the wild[10]. Trees in general grow better in the wetter western part of Britain[11]. Usually slow growing, though trees occasionally increase by 60cm in a year[12]. The bruised leaves release a powerful resinous smell[13]. The fruits are also aromatic[13]. The seed takes two summers to mature[6]. Trees often crop well at Kew, but there were no seeds formed in 1994[K]. A tree in fairly deep shade at Kew was carrying a good crop of seeds in the summer of 1996[K].

Plants are usually dioecious, but isolated female plants have been known to bear fruit in the absence of a pollinating male[9]. Plants are 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 californica. 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 californica.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Torreya californica
Genus
Torreya
Family
Cephalotaxaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5]
Medicinal uses
[2]
Material uses & Functions
[2][6][7]
Botanic
[9][14][10]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline, very 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
    Canopy, 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 8 meters
    Fertility
    self sterile
    Pollinators
    Wind
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    dioecious

    "image:Rennes ParcOberthur Torreya californica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Rennes ParcOberthur Torreya californica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Rennes ParcOberthur Torreya californica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Rennes ParcOberthur Torreya californica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Rennes ParcOberthur Torreya californica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Rennes ParcOberthur Torreya californica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Rennes ParcOberthur Torreya californica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.62.72.8 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
    5. ? 5.05.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.510.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    11. ? Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm ISBN 0-7470-2801-X (1987-00-00)
    12. ? Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO ISBN 0-11-710012-9 (1975-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    14. ? Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press (1959-00-00)

    "image:Rennes ParcOberthur Torreya californica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Torreya_californica&oldid=81311"
    Facts about "Torreya californica"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCephalotaxaceae +
    Belongs to genusTorreya +
    Has binomial nameTorreya californica +
    Has common nameCalifornia Nutmeg +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part + and Seed +
    Has edible useOil + and Unknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Wind +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has growth rateSlow +
    Has hardiness zone7 +
    Has imageRennes ParcOberthur Torreya californica.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useBasketry + and Wood +
    Has mature height15 +
    Has mature width8 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnalgesic +, Diaphoretic +, Febrifuge +, Stomachic + and TB +
    Has primary imageRennes ParcOberthur Torreya californica.jpg +
    Has search nametorreya californica + and california nutmeg +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid +, Acid +, Neutral +, Alkaline + and Very alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameTorreya californica +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy + and Secondary canopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Torreya californica +, Torreya californica +, Torreya californica +, Torreya californica +, Torreya californica +, Torreya californica +, Torreya californica +, Torreya californica + and Torreya californica +