Thuja

by | Mar 21, 2018 | Thuja

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Torreya grandis (Chinese: 香榧; pinyin: xiāngfěi; lit. 'fragrant nutmeg yew') is a species of conifer in either the family Taxaceae, or Cephalotaxaceae. Common names include Chinese Torreya and Chinese nutmeg yew,[2] which refers to its edible seeds that resemble nutmeg and to its yew-like foliage, although it is not related to either nutmeg nor to the true yews belonging to the genus Taxus. Originating in the Jurassic period, about 170 million years ago, it is known as a "living fossil".[3] T. grandis is a large tree that can attain height of 25 metres (82 ft), and possibly as high as 39 metres (128 ft).[4] T. grandis is endemic to eastern and south-eastern China; it is found in the coastal provinces Fujian, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu, as well as in Anhui, Guizhou, Hunan, and Jiangxi inland. Its natural habitat are mountains and open valleys, often by streams, between 200 and 1,400 metres (660 and 4,590 ft) ASL.[5] T. grandis is a precious tree species with multiple values. According to survey data, its economic life is more than a thousand years.[3]

Torreya grandis cv. Merrillii is a cultivar with a history going back to the Tang dynasty. It is believed to originate from the mountains of northeast Zhejiang.[6]

Uses

  • The nuts are edible or can be pressed for oil, and have high nutritional value. In traditional Chinese medicine, T. grandis has the effects of "消除疳积/eliminating malnutrition", "润肺滑肠/moisturizing the lungs and smoothing the intestines", "化痰止咳/resolving phlegm and relieving cough", "治五痔，去三虫/treating five hemorrhoids, removing three intestinal parasites", "助筋骨/beneficial to muscles and bones" and so on. According to modern chemical and medical analysis, T. grandis does have a lot of benefits and curative effects on the human body, for example, it has obvious inhibitory effect on lymphoblastic leukemia, and also has the effects of regulating blood lipids, softening cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, and anti-oxidation. In addition, the paclitaxel in leaves, bark, and arils can be used to treat a number of types of cancer.[3]
  • The linalyl acetate extracted from arils is the raw material for refining essential oil.
  • The wood is used in construction and high-quality furniture or sculpture,[5] as well as in the production of high-quality go boards.[citation needed]
  • T. grandis is used as an ornamental tree in Europe and North America.[4]

History

T. grandis was recorded in the first surviving Chinese dictionary, Erya, as early as the 2nd century BC.[3] In addition to ancient agricultural and Chinese medicine books such as Shennong Ben Cao Jing, Xinxiu bencao or Bencao Gangmu, it is described and cherished in ancient Chinese poetry.[7] In the Song dynasty, processed salt and pepper nutmeg-yew (椒鹽香榧), sugar ball nutmeg-yew (糖球香榧), and nutmeg-yew pastry (香榧酥) were listed as court tributes, and it was also a treasure on the dining table of senior scholar-officials.[7]

T. grandis has been cultivated for more than 1,500 years, but it was only sporadically planted because of the low survival rate, slow growth rate and low fruiting rate.[3] Modern research on T. grandis only began in the 1920s.[3] The industry started in the 1970s. After decades of research by forestry experts, the relevant problems have been gradually solved.[3] T. grandis can be regarded as a new industry in the 21st century. It has changed from a traditional industry to a technological industry, and it is developing vigorously. Among the scholars who devoted themselves to T. grandis, Professor Wu Jiasheng (吴家胜) and Professor Dai Wensheng (戴文圣) were rated as "The most 'beautiful' scientific and technical personnel" (最「美」科技人员) by the CCP Central Publicity Department.[3]

The first European to discover Torreya grandis was Robert Fortune, who was hiking in the mountains of northeast Zhejiang in search of seeds, particularly those of the "golden pine-tree" (Larix kaempferi). Encountering first two young cultivated trees, he was guided to a valley with mature trees and purchased the seeds.[8] The seeds brought to England could be grown successfully there.[9]

References

  1. ^ Yang, Y.; Luscombe, D (2013). "Torreya grandis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T191881A2011932. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T191881A2011932.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. ^ Eckenwalder, J.E. 2009. Conifers of the World: The Complete Reference. Timber Press.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h 吴家胜, 张瑞, 喻卫武, 侯宇 (2020-01-09). "香榧：传承千年的美食珍果" (in Chinese). www.forestry.gov.cn. Retrieved 2022-12-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ a b Christopher J. Earle (2011). "Chamaecyparis". The Gymnosperm Database. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
  5. ^ a b Liguo Fu, Nan Li & Robert R. Mill. "Torreya grandis". Flora of China. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
  6. ^ LI Zhang-ju; CHENG Xiao-jian; DAI Wen-sheng; ZENG Yan-ru (2005). "Origin of Torreya grandis 'Merrillii'". Journal of Zhejiang Forestry College.
  7. ^ a b 叶淑媛 (2020-09-30). "科普知识 ：彼美玉山果 千年中国榧" (in Chinese). www.shangyou.gov.cn. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  8. ^ Fortune, Robert (1857), A Residence Among the Chinese; Inland, On the Coast and at Sea; being a Narrative of Scenes and Adventures During a Third Visit to China from 1853 to 1856, including Notices of Many Natural Productions and Works of Art, the Culture of Silk, &c, London: John Murray
  9. ^ "New plants: Torreya grandis". The Gardeners' Chronicle and Agricultural Gazette (47 (November 21)): 788–789. 1857.
  • Torreya grandis
    Torreya grandis
  • Torreya grandis close-up
    Torreya grandis close-up
  • Torreya grandis "nuts"
    Torreya grandis "nuts"
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