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California Nutmeg

Torreya Californica

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Overview

Torreya californica, commonly known as California Nu™eg, is an evergreen tree found in the wild up to 49 ft tall but usually smaller in landscapes. It features sharp, dark green needles, ranging from 1 to 1.5 inches long, and produces plum-like seeds with kernels reminiscent of nu™eg. Prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade. Its slow growth and conical form make it ideal for focal points in shade gardens.

Sun FullWater Very LowZones 2–9Type Conifer, Tree

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — While the California Nutmeg is slow-growing; creating a unique visual interest

Culture

Sun: Full
Water: Very Low
USDA zones: 2–9

Shape & size

Classification

Type: Conifer, Tree
Family: Cephalotaxaceae

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Photos (71)

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — Although the seeds are not for culinary use

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — scientifically known as Torreya californica; is an evergreen tree found in the wild up to 49 ft tall but usually

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — These needles carry a striking arrangement along the stems; commonly known as California Nu™eg

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — conifer / tree for full

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — plum-like seeds dangle from the tree's branches

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — Resembling true nutmeg in appearance

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — Its slow growth and conical form make it ideal for focal points in shade gardens

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — consider its requirements for well-drained soil and part to full shade exposure for optimal growth; resembling true

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — conifer / tree for full; the California Nutmeg requires minimal maintenance once established

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — Prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade; these needles carry a striking arrangement along the, image 49

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — Prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade; these needles carry a striking arrangement along the stems

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — is an evergreen tree found in the wild up to 49 ft tall but usually smaller in landscapes

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — Its slow growth and conical form make it ideal for focal points in shade gardens; when incorporating, image 50

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — scientifically known as Torreya californica; is an evergreen tree found in the wild up to 49 ft tall but, image 51

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — making it a noble choice for a client's garden that pursues a stately; prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — consider its requirements for well-drained soil and part to full shade exposure for optimal growth

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — and produces plum-like seeds with kernels reminiscent of nu™eg; ranging from 1 to 1.5 inches long, image 48

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — ranging from 1 to 1.5 inches long

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — Although the seeds are not for culinary use; yet low-maintenance addition to their landscape

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — ranging from 1 to 1.5 inches long; consider its requirements for well-drained soil and part to full shade exposure

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — Growing natively in the California mountains

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — Prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — plum-like seeds dangle from the tree's branches; scientifically known as Torreya californica

California Nutmeg (Torreya Californica) — adding both texture and density to the garden's greenery

Photographs by 12 contributors

Ian D. Medeiros, CC BY 4.0 · source
John Rusk from Berkeley, CC BY 2.0 · source
Crusier, CC BY 3.0 · source
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Cbarlow, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Sandy__R from Scotland, UK, CC BY 2.0 · source
S. Rae from Scotland, UK, CC BY 2.0 · source
Baummapper, CC BY-SA 3.0 de · source
Mosepors at da.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Salicyna, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Pymouss, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Petr Filippov, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source

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