Torreya californica
New York J. Pharm. (1852–1854) 3: 49. 1854.
Common names: California torreya California-nutmeg
IllustratedEndemic
Synonyms: Torreya myristica Hooker Tumion californicum (Torrey) Greene
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 2.
Trees to 20(–25) m; trunk to 9(–12) dm diam.; crown conic or, in age, round-topped. Branches spreading to slightly drooping; 2-year-old branches reddish brown. Leaves 3–8 cm, abaxial side with 2 deeply impressed, glaucous bands of stomates, flattened on adaxial side, emitting pungent odor when crushed. Pollen cones whitish. Seed (including aril) 2.5–3.5 cm; aril light green streaked with purple. 2n = 16.
Habitat: Rare and local along mountain streams, protected slopes, creek bottoms, and moist canyons of the Coastal Range and Sierra Nevada
Elevation: 0–2000 m
Discussion
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.