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Torreya jackii - Chun.

Common Name
Family Cephalotaxaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Woods at elevations of 400 - 1000 metres in N Fujian, NE Jiangxi S Zhejiang provinces[266].
Range E. Asia - E. China.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Torreya jackii


Torreya jackii

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Torreya jackii is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft 10in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Oil  Seed
Edible Uses: Oil

Seed[81]. 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[105, 177].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Incense  Oil  Wood

The leaves are very aromatic when bruised or burned, giving off a fragrance like sandalwood oil[266]. The wood is very fragrant, and is used to make agricultural implements, utensils, and handicrafts[266].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, tolerating some lime[1]. Requires a sheltered position and either high humidity or a moist riverside soil[200]. Dislikes wind exposure[200]. Tolerates woodland shade very well[200]. Requires hot, very humid summers for best growth[200]. Quite rare in the wild, this is a vulnerable species at risk of becoming extinct in the wild[266]. Torreya jackii is unlike the other Chinese members of the genus and is remarkably similar to Cephalotaxus fortunei, from which it can be distinguished by its sessile seed-bearing structures and by the peculiar, strongly twisted leaf arrangement[266]. The seed takes two summers to mature[229]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, though trees can be grown outdoors in the milder parts of the country[81]. Plants are dioecious, but sometimes monoecious with dioecious branches. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant 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[1]. Cuttings do not grow well[11]. Layering.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Zhejiang Sheng (south))

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Ephedra torreyanaMexican Tea, Torrey's jointfirShrub1.0 0-0  LMNDM23 
Pinus torreyanaSoledad Pine, Torrey pine, Santa Cruz Island Torrey pine, Soledad pine, Torrey pineTree20.0 8-11 FLMNDM323
Torreya californicaCalifornia NutmegTree15.0 6-9 SLMHFSNM312
Torreya fargesii Tree20.0 6-9 SLMHFSNM203
Torreya grandisChinese Nutmeg TreeTree25.0 7-10 SLMHFSNM213
Torreya nuciferaKaya, Japanese torreyaTree20.0 6-8 SLMHFSM52 
Torreya yunnanensisYunnan Nutmeg YewTree15.0 7-10 SLMHFSNM203

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Chun.

Botanical References

200266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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