Typical Farges Nut-nutmeg (Torreya fargesii var. fargesii)
Torreya fargesii var. fargesii - Farges Nutmeg Tree Facts
Native forests of central and western China provide the ideal conditions for Torreya fargesii var. fargesii, an autonymic variety of the Farges nutmeg tree. This gymnosperm belongs to the coniferous family Taxaceae. It typically grows in mountain valleys and shady slopes.
Taxonomy
- ∟ царство Plantae
- ∟ division Tracheophytes
- ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
- ∟ superclass Gymnospermae
- ∟ division Pinophyta
- ∟ subclass Cupressidae
- ∟ order Cupressales (Cypresses and junipers)
- ∟ family Taxaceae (Yew family)
- ∟ genus Torreya (Nutmeg yew)
- ∟ species Torreya fargesii (Farges' torreya)
- ∟ variety Torreya fargesii var. fargesii (Typical Farges Nut-nutmeg)
Morphology
This evergreen tree typically reaches heights of 10 to 15 meters, occasionally growing larger in optimal conditions. The bark exhibits a greyish-brown coloration and tends to peel in thin, irregular flakes. Its branches are relatively short and horizontal, creating a compact crown.
The linear leaves are stiff and arranged in two distinct ranks along the twigs. Each needle ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 centimeters in length and features a sharp, spiny tip. Two whitish stomatal bands are clearly visible on the underside of each leaf.
The seed cones are solitary and sessile, ripening in their second year. The resulting seeds are completely enclosed in a fleshy, green-to-purple aril that is ovoid or obovoid in shape.
Interesting facts
The variety is named after Paul Guillaume Farges, a French missionary and plant collector who gathered specimens in China during the late 19th century. Its wood is highly valued in local regions for its resistance to moisture and insects.
Geography of distribution
- China
Sources
- Kew Science Plants of the World Online (POWO)
- World Flora Online (WFO)
- Missouri Botanical Garden (Tropicos)