plant-banner1

NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Torreya taxifolia

Florida Nutmeg, Florida Torreya, Stinking-cedar

Scientific Name:

Torreya taxifolia

Genus:

Torreya

Species Epithet:

taxifolia

Common Name:

Florida Nutmeg, Florida Torreya, Stinking-cedar

Plant Type

Tree/Shrub

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Cephalotaxaceae (Plum-Yew Family)

Native/Alien:

S.E. Native

Size:

6-12 ft., 12-36 ft., 36-72 ft.

Light:

Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist

Bloom Time:

April

Habitat Description:

Moist ravines and bluffs, sometimes planted well outside its native range as an ornamental, and also rarely established near plantings. An endangered endemic of ravines along the Apalachicola River in Panhandle FL and sw. GA. This is a SE native and not native to NC.

Leaf Retention:

Evergreen

Leaf Type:

Leaves needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Not Assigned

Landscape Value:

Suitable for home landscapes

State Rank:

(*Key)

Global Rank:

G1 - Critically imperiled (*Key)

State Status:

(*Key)

Federal Status:

E - Endangered (*Key)

Notes:

Endemic to about a dozen ravine complexes along the Apalachicola River in Florida and adjacent Georgia. Within this unusual habitat, the species was once common. However, since the late 1950s, a fungal pathogen of uncertain origin and no known control has decimated the populations. There are currently no reproducing individuals known in the wild and the species is persisting only as stump shoots and occasional root sprouts. Most of the Georgia habitat was eliminated by flooding from a major dam.

Close-up of branches with cones

Duplin County, NC

The Scientific Name is Torreya taxifolia. You will likely hear them called Florida Nutmeg, Florida Torreya, Stinking-cedar. This picture shows the Close-up of branches with cones of Torreya taxifolia

Cary Payntor

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



Permalink - (right click to save this page to your bookmarks)

<<< PREVIOUS

NEXT >>>

back to top
go to plant details search
go to plant images search
go to gallery home
back to Initial t Gallery
back to orchids
back to Carnivorous Plants
back to Trilliums