Torreya nucifera

(L.) Siebold & Zucc.

Japanese Torreya, Japanese nutmeg

TaxaceaeSeeds/NutsScore: 61/100

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(c) Lek Khauv, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Lek Khauv

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(c) Tim, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)

What to Eat

Edible parts: Seeds, Nuts, Kernels, Nuts - oil

Seeds can be eaten raw, cooked, or used in confectionery. They have an agreeable, sweet, slightly resinous and aromatic flavour and are much relished, though they are reported to be laxative if eaten in excess. An edible oil extracted from the seed is used in cooking.

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.

Asia, Australia, Britain, China, Europe, Japan*, Korea, North America, USA,

Countries: Andorra, United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Antigua & Barbuda, Albania, Armenia, Austria, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Barbados, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bahrain, Brunei, Bahamas, Bhutan, Belarus, Belize, Canada, Switzerland, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, United Kingdom, Grenada, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Croatia, Haiti, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, St Kitts & Nevis, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, St Lucia, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Monaco, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Malta, Maldives, Mexico, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Netherlands, Norway, Nepal, Oman, Panama, Philippines, Pakistan, Poland, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Serbia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Singapore, Slovenia, Slovakia, San Marino, El Salvador, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Trinidad & Tobago, Taiwan, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan, St Vincent, Vietnam, Yemen

How to Identify

A shrub or tree. It can grow 25 m tall. The branches are spreading. The small branches are reddish-brown. The leaves are dark and glossy green above and with blue white bands underneath. The leaves have a scent when crushed. The female cones are olive green. The kernel is edible.

Nutrition Score: 61/100

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Seeds dried	6.5	2433	582	11.1	—	—	3.6	—

How to Grow

Propagation: Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Some seed should germinate the following spring, though much may take a further 12 months. Stored seed requires cold stratification and can take 18 months or more to germinate. Prick seedlings into individual pots as soon as growth appears and grow on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least the next two winters, potting on as needed. Plant out into permanent positions in early summer when plants are at least 20cm tall. Half-ripe shoot cuttings can be taken in late summer, though rooting success is poor. Layering is also an option.

Medicinal Uses

The seeds are anthelmintic and are used in the treatment of several parasitic conditions including hookworm, tapeworms, pinworms, and roundworms. The plant is also anodyne, carminative, digestive, laxative, and pectoral.

Other Uses

None known.

Wikipedia

Source ↗

Torreya nucifera is a slow-growing, coniferous tree native to southern Japan and to South Korea's Jeju Island. It is also called kaya (榧) Japanese torreya or Japanese nutmeg-yew.

Other Information

It is a cultivated food plant.

Notes

Also put in the family Cephalotaxaceae.

Names & Synonyms

Binjanamu, Kaya

Taxus nucifera L.Tumion nuciferum (L.) Greene

References (18)

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