California Nutmeg (Torreya californica)

Family: Cephalotaxaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Torreya californica is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from September 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).

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Late Summer, Fall, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

rich in oil. — Seed - raw or cooked.; The seeds are roasted and eaten.; They are rich in oil.; The ovoid seed is up to 2cm long.

Habitat & North American Range

Rare and local along mountain streams, protected slopes, creek bottoms, and moist canyons of the Coastal Range and Sierra Nevada from sea level to 2000 metres. (Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)