Torreya grandis
Torreya grandis (Chinese: 香榧(pinyin=Xiāngfěi) is a species of conifer in either the family Taxaceae, or Cephalotaxaceae. Originated in the Jurassic period, about 170 million years ago, it is known as a "living fossil".榧/fěi in 香榧/xiāngfěi is the genus name, and 香/xiāng" means fragrant. T. grandis is a large tree that can attain height of 25 metres (82 ft), and possibly as high as 39 metres (128 ft). T. grandis is endemic to eastern and south-eastern China; it is found in the coastal provinces Fujian, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu, as well as in Anhui, Guizhou, Hunan, and Jiangxi inland. Its natural habitat are mountains and open valleys, often by streams, between 200–1,400 metres (660–4,590 ft) ASL. One common name is Chinese nutmeg yew(although it is not related to nutmeg, nor the true yews belonging to the genus Taxus), which refers to its edible seeds that superficially resemble nutmeg (Chinese: 榧榧) and its yew-like foliage.T. grandis is a precious tree species with multiple values. According to the survey data, its economic life is more than a thousand years. [1]
Torreya grandis cv. Merrillii is a collection of a group of cultivars with a history going back to Tang Dynasty. It is believed to originate from the mountains of NE Zhejiang.
