Chinese nutmeg-yew, Chinese torreya, Torreya nut
Torreya grandis

Family: Taxaceae

What it is like

A tree which grows up to 25 m tall. Several different cultivated varieties occur. The trunks are 55 cm across. The leaves are arranged in spirals. They appear to be in 2 layers The are narrow and rigid. They are 1-2.5 cm long and 2-4 mm wide. The end in a sharp point. The flowers are of one sex and plants are separately male and female. The seed is oval and 2-4.5 cm long by 1.5-2.5 cm wide. There is a thin fleshy outer coat and a woody inner coat.

Also put in the family Cephalotaxaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zone 6.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Britain, China (country/location of origin), Europe

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten.

The nuts are sold and marketed roasted and salted. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Seeds, nuts

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Feishu, Xiangfei

Synonyms

Tumion grande (Fortune) Greene;