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Torreya yunnanensis - Cheng.&L.K.Fu.

Common Name Yunnan Nutmeg Yew
Family Cephalotaxaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Coniferous and mixed forests in warm temperate zones, locally a common forest tree, at levations of 1500 - 3400 metres in NW Yunnan[266].
Range E. Asia - China in Yunnan province.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Torreya yunnanensis Yunnan Nutmeg Yew


Torreya yunnanensis Yunnan Nutmeg Yew

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Torreya yunnanensis is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft 3in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, 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  Oil  Seed
Edible Uses: Oil  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.

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

Oil  Oil  Wood

An oil is extracted from the seed[266]. The high quality timber is used in constructing houses, bridges, and furniture, and for making implements and utensils[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]. A vulnerable species in the wild, where it is at risk of becoming extinct[266]. This species is not hardy in all parts of Britain, but trees can be grown outdoors in the milder parts of the country[81]. The seed takes two summers to mature[229]. There is some confusion over the correct name of this species, with some authorities seeing it as no more than a sub-species of T. fargesii[266]. 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

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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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 (Yunnan Sheng)

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 jackii Tree10.0 7-10 SLMHFSNM202
Torreya nuciferaKaya, Japanese torreyaTree20.0 6-8 SLMHFSM52 

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

Cheng.&L.K.Fu.

Botanical References

200266

Links / References

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

Readers comment

   Mon Dec 3 2007

Used to make go boards, cost far less then japanize Kaya. Not sure of the relation of the two woods.

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