Taxonomy

Division:

Coniferophyta | - Conifers

Family:

Taxaceae

Genus:

Torreya

Species:

Torreya taxifolia

USDA Symbol:

TOTA

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Tree

Height:

1800 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun,Part Shade

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

mar,apr

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, small mammals

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fragrant:

Yes

Fire Notes:

This species occurs in fire-sheltered ravines and mesic bluffs; it is not fire-adapted and is vulnerable to fire damage.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rich, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

5.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

native to limestone bluffs and ravines

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 90–180 days

Germination Time:

60–365 days

Notes:

Seeds have deep dormancy requiring warm followed by cold stratification. Germination is slow and erratic, often taking a full year.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI