- Torreya californica
Taxobox
name = "Torreya californica"
image_width = 200px
status = LR/cd | status_system = IUCN2.3
regnum =Plant ae
divisio =Pinophyta
classis = Pinopsida
ordo =Pinales
familia =Cephalotaxaceae
genus = "Torreya "
species = "T. californica"
binomial = "Torreya californica"
binomial_authority = Torr."Torreya californica" is species of conifer endemic to
California , occurring in thePacific Coast Ranges and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. It is commonly known as California Torreya or California Nutmeg (although not closely related to truenutmeg ).It is an
evergreen tree growing to 15-25 m tall, with a trunk diameter of 0.5-1 m (exceptionally 2 m); the crown is conical in overall shape, with whorled branches. The leaves are needle-like, stiff, sharp pointed, 3-5 cm long and 3 mm broad; they are arranged spirally but twisted at the base to lie flat either side of the shoots. The male (pollen ) cones are 5-7 mm long, grouped in lines along the underside of a shoot. The female (seed ) cones are single or grouped 2-5 together on a short stem; minute at first, they mature in about 18 months to adrupe -like structure with the single large nut-like seed 2.5-4 cm long surrounded by a fleshy covering, dark green to purple at full maturity in the fall.Uses
The seeds were used by Native Americans as a food, and the wood for making bows. It is also planted as an
ornamental tree .The wood is sometimes used in making Go boards, as a cheaper substitute for the prized Kaya wood (Torreya nucifera) of Japan.
References and external links
*
* [http://www.conifers.org/ta/to/californica.htm Gymnosperm Database: "Torreya californica"]
* [http://www.torreyaguardians.org/california.html Torreya Guardians: "Torreya californica"]
*Photos of [http://www.pinetum.org/sp/TOcalifornica.htm foliage and mature seed cones] and [http://www.pinetum.org/sp/TOcalifornicaPH.htm pollen cones and immature seed cones] .
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