Common Name: California Nutmeg
Scientific Name: Torreya Californica
Angiosperm or Gymnosperm? Gymnosperm. The seeds are not enclosed in an ovule.
Brief Description: Native to California, the California nutmeg is adapted to the relatively moderate temperatures of the Sierra Nevada foothills. It is a moderate to small, shrub-like tree growing from 20 to 70 feet in height. It's tiny needle-like leaves are thin and flat with sharp, pointed tips. This evergreen has had many uses throughout the ages, first used for food and craved into weapons by the Native American tribes of northern California, and more modernly used for making cabinets or furniture.
Scientific Name: Torreya Californica
Angiosperm or Gymnosperm? Gymnosperm. The seeds are not enclosed in an ovule.
Brief Description: Native to California, the California nutmeg is adapted to the relatively moderate temperatures of the Sierra Nevada foothills. It is a moderate to small, shrub-like tree growing from 20 to 70 feet in height. It's tiny needle-like leaves are thin and flat with sharp, pointed tips. This evergreen has had many uses throughout the ages, first used for food and craved into weapons by the Native American tribes of northern California, and more modernly used for making cabinets or furniture.
Ethnobotony
The California nutmeg had many uses to Native American tribes throughout California. In an article from San Francisco State University quoting Andrew Maxwell, the "Pomo Indians, of Mendocino County, used the root strands [of the California Nutmeg] for basket making and the sharp needles for tattooing and the kernels or seeds were roasted to overcome the bitter, tannin taste and prized as a food source for Native American" (Maxwell, 1992). Also in this same article quoted by Stephan Whitney, some native americans used the "trees strong wood" to make "bows" for hunting game (Whitney, 1992). The Native Americans also used the roots of the tree to make woven baskets (Chestnut 1900). Although these methods are a little outdated to California Nutmeg has proved to be useful for centuries.
More present tense and conventional uses, the California Nutmeg is now used for making cabinets an furniture. The woods "special qualities" include "its attractive yellowish color, strength, smooth grains, rot resistance and durability" which make it perfect for all kinds of furniture and other interior applications for houses (UADAFS, 2003).
For more recent studies the California nutmeg has been studied for its uses for making vegetable oil, like what Native Americans used it for (Chestnut 1900). Also scientist are now studying the medical effects of ingesting the seeds can help with indigestion and other things that may upset the stomach (Burke 1075).
The California nutmeg had many uses to Native American tribes throughout California. In an article from San Francisco State University quoting Andrew Maxwell, the "Pomo Indians, of Mendocino County, used the root strands [of the California Nutmeg] for basket making and the sharp needles for tattooing and the kernels or seeds were roasted to overcome the bitter, tannin taste and prized as a food source for Native American" (Maxwell, 1992). Also in this same article quoted by Stephan Whitney, some native americans used the "trees strong wood" to make "bows" for hunting game (Whitney, 1992). The Native Americans also used the roots of the tree to make woven baskets (Chestnut 1900). Although these methods are a little outdated to California Nutmeg has proved to be useful for centuries.
More present tense and conventional uses, the California Nutmeg is now used for making cabinets an furniture. The woods "special qualities" include "its attractive yellowish color, strength, smooth grains, rot resistance and durability" which make it perfect for all kinds of furniture and other interior applications for houses (UADAFS, 2003).
For more recent studies the California nutmeg has been studied for its uses for making vegetable oil, like what Native Americans used it for (Chestnut 1900). Also scientist are now studying the medical effects of ingesting the seeds can help with indigestion and other things that may upset the stomach (Burke 1075).
Natural Habitat
The California Nutmeg tree is native to northern California, found in Coastal Ranges or on the foothills of the Cascade-Sierra Nevada mountains. It has adapted to California's rainy winters, dry summers, and relatively moderate temperatures (Hunter 1992).
The California Nutmeg tree is native to northern California, found in Coastal Ranges or on the foothills of the Cascade-Sierra Nevada mountains. It has adapted to California's rainy winters, dry summers, and relatively moderate temperatures (Hunter 1992).
Seeds
The cones are more like arils, which are outgrowths that attach the seeds to the cone. The arils are green and fleshly, resembling a green grape. They are walled in hard, naked seeds. These seeds are pollinated by wind and germinated by wind and animals.
The cones are more like arils, which are outgrowths that attach the seeds to the cone. The arils are green and fleshly, resembling a green grape. They are walled in hard, naked seeds. These seeds are pollinated by wind and germinated by wind and animals.
Flowers/Cones
It is a gymnosperm, which is the "taxonomic class [of genes] that includes plants whose seeds are not enclosed in an ovule (like a pine cone)... This group is often referred to as softwoods" (CSU Chico 2013). The Nutmeg has both male (pollen producing) and female (seed carrying) reproductive cones. The cones are more like aril, green and fleshy with seeds coating them (Kemp 1959).
It is a gymnosperm, which is the "taxonomic class [of genes] that includes plants whose seeds are not enclosed in an ovule (like a pine cone)... This group is often referred to as softwoods" (CSU Chico 2013). The Nutmeg has both male (pollen producing) and female (seed carrying) reproductive cones. The cones are more like aril, green and fleshy with seeds coating them (Kemp 1959).
Leaves
The California Nutmeg is an evergreen tree, meaning its leaves remain green all year around. Nutmeg has small needle-like leaves that are classified as sessile leaves. Sessile leaves are not stalked, meaning the leaf does not connect to the branch by stem. The leaf is embedded in the branch and then grows out.
The California Nutmeg is an evergreen tree, meaning its leaves remain green all year around. Nutmeg has small needle-like leaves that are classified as sessile leaves. Sessile leaves are not stalked, meaning the leaf does not connect to the branch by stem. The leaf is embedded in the branch and then grows out.
Bark
The bark of the nutmeg is a brown-gray color with scaly ridges. It is classified as fissured bark meaning it has a net-like pattern with strong phloem fibers. This fibrous bark creates a strong trunk cover and protects the tree from unwanted burrowing insects (Burke 1975).
The bark of the nutmeg is a brown-gray color with scaly ridges. It is classified as fissured bark meaning it has a net-like pattern with strong phloem fibers. This fibrous bark creates a strong trunk cover and protects the tree from unwanted burrowing insects (Burke 1975).
Germination/Pollination
The California nutmeg usually pollinates in spring but sometimes it depends on the the latitudes and elevations of the specific trees. The flowers are dioecious meaning their are individual flower either male or female and the there is only one sex per tree so the California nutmeg is not self-fertile (Kemp 1959). The seeds are pollinated by wind in the spring and then are "released" flaking off the cones when they spread apart (Roy 1974). This process of germination usually occurs in the beginning of fall, during August. Woodland animals like squirrels also eat these seeds then plant them elsewhere by burying the seeds and forgetting about them or eat them and fertilizing the seeds through their scat.
The California nutmeg usually pollinates in spring but sometimes it depends on the the latitudes and elevations of the specific trees. The flowers are dioecious meaning their are individual flower either male or female and the there is only one sex per tree so the California nutmeg is not self-fertile (Kemp 1959). The seeds are pollinated by wind in the spring and then are "released" flaking off the cones when they spread apart (Roy 1974). This process of germination usually occurs in the beginning of fall, during August. Woodland animals like squirrels also eat these seeds then plant them elsewhere by burying the seeds and forgetting about them or eat them and fertilizing the seeds through their scat.
Plants/Animals
The nutmeg's seeds are edible attracting squirrels and other creatures their cones even humans, i.e. the Native Americans, used their nuts for food (Burke 1975). Some "various animals eat the Torreya californica seed" and depend on it in their diet (Roy 1974). There thick bark is designed to keep unwanted pest out, like burrowing insects and birds, by its' fibrous genetic make up making a stronger and tougher outer covering to protect the sieve stems that transfer water to make sugars for the plant (Burke 1975). The California nutmeg both uses animals to help it germinate while protecting itself from harmful insects that may effect the efficiency of producing sugars.
The nutmeg's seeds are edible attracting squirrels and other creatures their cones even humans, i.e. the Native Americans, used their nuts for food (Burke 1975). Some "various animals eat the Torreya californica seed" and depend on it in their diet (Roy 1974). There thick bark is designed to keep unwanted pest out, like burrowing insects and birds, by its' fibrous genetic make up making a stronger and tougher outer covering to protect the sieve stems that transfer water to make sugars for the plant (Burke 1975). The California nutmeg both uses animals to help it germinate while protecting itself from harmful insects that may effect the efficiency of producing sugars.
Creative Writing
An outcast, no food, no home
Alone with only his shoes to help him roam
Left for dead, cast out from the tribe
His mind only had the simple thought to survive
Starved and crazed he stumbled around
Then suddenly a California nutmeg stood out of the crowd
He gazed at the tiny branches as they wrestled and frayed
He thanked the mother earth for blessing his day
Carved a bow out of the thick, hard wood
And gathered as many seed for food as he could
As he left he thanked the tree
For letting him live one more day free.
An outcast, no food, no home
Alone with only his shoes to help him roam
Left for dead, cast out from the tribe
His mind only had the simple thought to survive
Starved and crazed he stumbled around
Then suddenly a California nutmeg stood out of the crowd
He gazed at the tiny branches as they wrestled and frayed
He thanked the mother earth for blessing his day
Carved a bow out of the thick, hard wood
And gathered as many seed for food as he could
As he left he thanked the tree
For letting him live one more day free.
References
Burke, J. J. (1975). Human use of the california nutmeg tree, tórreya californica, and of other members of the genus. Economic Botany, 29(2), 127. doi:10.1007/BF02863312
Chestnut, V. K. 1900. Plants used by the Indians of Mendocino Co., California. Contrib. U.S. Nat. Herberium. 7(1): 305-306. [19268]
CSU Chico (2013). Angiosperm or Gymnosperm? CSU Chico Library. Retrieved from: http://libguides.csuchico.edu/trees.
Hunter, J. pers. comm. 1992
Kemp, M. (1959). Morphological and Ontogenetic Studies on Torreya californica. II. Development of the Megasporangiate Shoot Prior to Pollination. American Journal Of Botany, (4), 249. doi:10.2307/2439476
Maxwell, Andrew. 1992. Mapping and habitat analysis of the California endemic tree, Torreya californica, in Marin County. San Francisco, CA.
Roy, Douglass F. 1974. Torreya Arn. Torreya. In: Schopmeyer, C. S., ed. Seeds of woody plants in the United States. Agriculture Handbook No. 450. Washington: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: 815-816.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDAFS), 2003. Index of Species Information, Species: Torreya californica. [Online]. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/torcal/all.html
Whitney, Stephen. 1992. The Audubon Society Nature Guides: Western Forests. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Burke, J. J. (1975). Human use of the california nutmeg tree, tórreya californica, and of other members of the genus. Economic Botany, 29(2), 127. doi:10.1007/BF02863312
Chestnut, V. K. 1900. Plants used by the Indians of Mendocino Co., California. Contrib. U.S. Nat. Herberium. 7(1): 305-306. [19268]
CSU Chico (2013). Angiosperm or Gymnosperm? CSU Chico Library. Retrieved from: http://libguides.csuchico.edu/trees.
Hunter, J. pers. comm. 1992
Kemp, M. (1959). Morphological and Ontogenetic Studies on Torreya californica. II. Development of the Megasporangiate Shoot Prior to Pollination. American Journal Of Botany, (4), 249. doi:10.2307/2439476
Maxwell, Andrew. 1992. Mapping and habitat analysis of the California endemic tree, Torreya californica, in Marin County. San Francisco, CA.
Roy, Douglass F. 1974. Torreya Arn. Torreya. In: Schopmeyer, C. S., ed. Seeds of woody plants in the United States. Agriculture Handbook No. 450. Washington: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: 815-816.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDAFS), 2003. Index of Species Information, Species: Torreya californica. [Online]. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/torcal/all.html
Whitney, Stephen. 1992. The Audubon Society Nature Guides: Western Forests. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.