California Torreya © David Cavagnaro

conical

Description Strongly aromatic tree with conical or rounded crown and rows of slender, spreading branches.
Height: 16-70' (5-21 m).
Diameter: 8"-2' (0.2-0.6 m), sometimes larger.
Needles: evergreen; spreading in 2 rows; 1-2 3/4" (2.5-7 cm) long, less than 1/8" (3 mm) wide. Mostly paired; flattish and slightly curved; long, sharp point at tip, short-pointed and almost stalkless at base; stiff. Shiny dark green above, green with 2 narrow, whitish lines beneath.
Bark: gray-brown, thin, irregularly fissured into narrow scaly ridges.
Twigs: mostly paired, slender, with 2 lines below base of each leaf; yellow-green turning reddish-brown.Seeds and Male
Cones: on separate trees. Seeds 1-1 1/2" (2.5-4 cm) long; elliptical; fleshy outer layer green with purplish markings and shedding; inner layer yellow-brown, thick-walled, stalkless; scattered and single on leafy twigs; maturing in 2 seasons. Male or pollen cones 3/8" (10 mm) long; elliptical, pale yellow, single at leaf bases.

Habitat Mixed evergreen forests along mountain streams, especially in shady canyon bottoms; also on exposed slopes.

Range Mountains of central and N. California including Coast Ranges and western slope of Sierra Nevada; at 3000-6500' (914-1981 m), also down almost to sea level near coast.

Discussion The name "California Nutmeg" refers to the resemblance of the aromatic seeds, with a deeply folded seed coat, to those of the unrelated commercial spice, nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.). "Stinking-cedar" alludes to the disagreeable resinous odor of crushed foliage and other parts. Native Americans used to make bows from the strong wood.