Torreya taxifolia

Common Names

Florida Torreya, Stinking Cedar, Florida Nutmeg, Gopher Wood, Stinking Yew, Savin, Polecat Wood

Summary

Florida torreya is an evergreen, dioecious conifer in the yew family native to a narrow range along the Apalachicola River in north Florida and adjacent Georgia, it has an upright, pyramidal to open-conical form with stiff, two-ranked, sharp-pointed leaves that emit a fetid odor when crushed, and olive-like fruits containing a single seed, it grows slowly and typically reaches about 9–12 meters in height, in cultivation it prefers partial sun to partial shade and well-drained, slightly acidic, fertile soil, with regular watering and winter fertilization, propagation is mainly by cuttings, with seeds germinating slowly and sporadically, layering can be used, the species is federally endangered, with conservation efforts including extensive ex situ propagation and seed orchards, and plantings outside the native range discouraged due to disease risk, in landscapes it serves as a specimen plant when disease pressure is managed, though availability remains limited, the plant is threatened by fungal blights and cankers, notably Fusarium torreyae, along with deer browse and habitat changes

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

360-600 inches

Spread

15-25 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade; tolerates full shade; not typically thriving in full sun.

Soil Type

Well-drained, slightly acidic, fertile soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soils

Soil pH

4.0-8.0

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Non-flowering

Foliage Color

Green, foliage glossy green on the top surface and light green on the underside.

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen needle

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts gray squirrels via seed dispersal