Torreya taxifolia

Trees to 13(–18) m; trunk to 8 dm diam.; crown rather open-conical. Branches spreading to slightly drooping; 2-year-old branches yellowish green, yellowish brown, or gray. Leaves 1.5–3.8 cm, abaxial side with 2 scarcely impressed, grayish bands of stomates, rounded on adaxial side, emitting fetid odor when crushed. Pollen cones pale yellow. Seed (including aril) 2.5–3.5 cm; aril glaucous, dark green, streaked with purple.

Habitat: River bluffs, slopes, and moist ravines
Elevation: 15–30 m

Fla., Ga.

Discussion

Torreya taxifolia is a rare endemic mainly along the Apalachicola River.

Populations of Torreya taxifolia were thriving until the 1950s, but since then they have been decimated by fungal disease (R. L. Godfrey and H. Kurz 1962). Only nonreproductive stump sprouts remain in the wild. The Florida torreya was listed as federally endangered in 1984 under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and efforts are underway to reestablish this once thriving species in its native habitat (L. R. McMahan 1989).

Of conservation concern.