California nutmeg

a tall, pungently aromatic California evergreen tree, Torreya californica, of the yew family, having a fissured, gray-brown bark and small, purple-streaked, green fruit.

[1905-10, Amer.]

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▪ plant

also called  stinking nutmeg,  or  California torreya 

      (Torreya californica), an ornamental evergreen tree of the yew family (Taxaceae), found naturally only in California. Growing to a height of 24 m (about 79 feet) or more, the tree bears spreading, slightly drooping branches. Although pyramidal in shape when young, it may be round-topped in old age. The fissured bark is grayish brown in colour, with orange streaks showing through. The dark-green rigid leaves are nearly flat and are usually about 4 to 8 cm (1¹/₂ to 3 inches) long and 3 mm (about ¹/₈ inch) broad, tapering to a spiny point. Leaves, branches, and wood have a pungent, aromatic scent. The aril, or seed covering, is oval, 2 to 3 cm (⁴/₅ to 1¹/₅ inches) long, and light green, usually with purple streaks.

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