Torreya californica, endemic Californian conifer #torreyacalifornica #torreya #taxaceae #cupressales #californiannutmeg #plants #botany #biodiversity #conifer #gymnosperm #endemicplants #macro #macrophotography #nature #naturephotography #mounttamalpais #mounttamalpaisstatepark #california
Torreya californica #exburygardens One of a pair growing together with somewhat variable morphology. Here it has made an impressive architectural tree. Rare in cultivation and one of many californian conifers that are threatened in the wild. #thestoryoftrees #treeregister #treesandshrubsonline #torreya #torreyacalifornica
#UnserGarten #Torreyacalifornica #CalifornischeNußeibe
Californian nutmeg #kewgardens #kewbotanicalgardens #royalbotanicgardens #californiannutmeg #californiannutmegtree #torreyacalifornica #conifer #trees #amazingnature
Journal page from visiting Yosemite a couple weeks ago. We hiked an awesome trail to the top of lower Yosemite falls and saw a beautiful rubber boa and centaury. Also along the entrance road were many Torreya trees which I finally got to see in fruit! The only other place I've seen them is along the Cataract Trail on Mt. Tam. #naturejournal #naturejournaling #watercolor #watercolorpainting #watercolorsketch #sketch #sketching #sketchbook #sketchbookart #snake #snakes #boa #boas #rubberboa #rubberboas #torreya #torreyacalifornica #californianutmeg #zelterna #zeltneravenusta #yosemite #yosemitenationalpark
My backyard thermometer reads 112 deg rn. I um have never seen that here. It’s in the sun, but still. So let’s hang out in the hammock in some shade with an iced beverage and recall that hike last Tuesday at Long Ridge/Saratoga Gap OSP. (1) Once again, “helping” Docents #rangerchick Frances and Bobbie with a pre-hike, “Going on a Grass Hunt”- for Sept. 1. I’m not a grasses expert by a long shot, but generally I can recognize one. Yeah I guess I can ID a few, maybe more than I realize. I had to do lawn care as a kid, probably affected my outlook. 😉 Meanwhile @nancyweintraub you’ll recognize this route! Counts as @bayarearidgetrail I think. Frances does like a good interpretive sign. Her- where does that other trail go? Me- down, pretty sure; we have to go up. It was warm. (2) Them- where’s those CA Nutmegs you were blathering about? Me (surprised I hadn’t seen them them yet) oh hey look at all these pokey Spiny Leaf Gall Wasp galls on Rosa gymnocarpa! #diplolepispolita #rosagymnocarpa (3) Them- what’s this grass? Me- oh look! Farewell to Spring Clarkia, #Clarkiarubicunda! (4,5) We get to a nice open (read hot) view spot with lots if pretty Brittle-leaf Manzanitas and some Warty-leaf and Hairy Ceanothuses and yep, more galls (6) Back in the shade with lots of big and some old Madrones, a Piperia transversa makes itself known here and there- when they want to. #piperiatransversa #platantheratransversa (7) Buncha bugs having a Summer Dance Party on a Hairy Gumplant! #grindeliahirsutula (8) We finally cross Hwy 35 from Long Ridge OSP Achistaca Trail- to shady Upper Stevens Creek County Park and Saratoga Gap Trail. (9) Me- hey you guys! Here’s the California Nutmeg you were looking for! Then of course I saw dozens. #torreyacalifornica (10) A nice surprise- since others I’d seen earlier were dried up or trail-whacked- a whole alley of blooming Fuzzball Asters! Bristly Goldenaster, Heterotheca sessiliflora ssp echioides #heterothecasessiliflorasspechioides #heterothecasessiliflora #longridgeopenspacepreserve #longridgeopenspacepreservenativeplants #longridgeopenspacepreservesummer2023 @midpenopenspace @midpenrangerspoa
Today i drove to the very hot valley to have a dermatologist look at a weird mole for 30 seconds. I’m fine, just getting old 🙃. But then the day got even better when I stopped at a waterfall, drank a lot of spring water, and met a new tree! Woo-hoo practically a spa day without my little mini me. Pic 1: hey 👋🏼 Deer Creek Falls Pic 2: California nutmeg! Pic 3: I grew up near this area and miss spending time on volcanic rocks #deercreekfalls #tehamacounty #californianutmeg #torreyacalifornica
Foglie e frutti in accrescimento di torreya californica, una taxacea originaria del Nordamerica. E' conosciuta come noce moscata californiana. #botanica #piante #plants #alberi #green #naturephotography #plantas #trees #arboles #albero #tree #botanical #greenlife #natura #nature #naturaleza #naturalisti #natureza #natuur #自然 #ambiente #earth #torreyacalifornica #biouniverso #biocosmo #natureconservation #love #loveplants #photography #californianutmeg
It wasn’t all lots of water at Picchetti Ranch OSP a couple days ago. Out and back mostly on the fairly easy Zinfandel Trail. (1) Near the start there were a few what have to be Piperia orchids, ??? Never seen (by me) before, not noted on Calflora or iNat. If you go, look closely- maybe P. transversa that bloom in late Spring-Summer! (2) The Preserve State Mushroom- the Golden Milkcap. (3) My first (knowingly) Tauschia species, in the carrot fam. Hartweg’s Umbrellawort. #tauschiahartwegii (4,5) California Nutmegs, big and small. #torreyacalifornica (6,7,8) California Scrub Oaks still with galls, though fading. (9) Looking fresh, Giant Trilliums! (10) And yes, water. Crossing the secondary creek which overshadowed the main creek going under the bridge wasn’t too bad, must have been impossible during the storms. No newts here. 😒 #picchettiranchopenspacepreserve #picchettiranchopenspacepreservewildflowers #picchettiranchopenspacepreservewinter2023 #picchettiranchopenspacepreservenativeplants #picchettiranchopenspacepreservefungi #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpenos @midpenrangerspoa @midpenopenspace
Torreya californica, ou Muscadier de Californie (Californian Nutmeg en Anglais) nous vient de Californie, dont l'aire est restreinte aux versants Ouest de la Sierra Nevada. Famille : TAXADACEAES Le nom Torreya doit son origine au botaniste américain John Torrey (1796 -1873) Le Muscadier de Californie est classé vulnérable dans la liste de l'INPN. #planttaxonomy #botanicalpictures #plantlovers #torreya #torreyacalifornica #taxaceae #treelovers #reconnaissancedesvegetaux #jardin #garden #justgardening #gardener #gardening #plantsmakemehappy #plantphotography #plantagram #plantsofinstagram
Torreya californica the California nutmeg has a fruit the size of a plum. There is a good photo of it on TSO @ids.treesandshrubsonline The IDS saw Torreyas growing in Yosemite National Park on the IDS California tour 2019. This one is growing happily in the centre of France. #torreyacalifornica
On the pre-hike for Saratoga Gap OSP All Preserves Great and Small hike on Nov. 4, Docent Nancy likes to get a starter photo at the trail signs. This must be after coming up the hill from the Skyline to the Sea Trail to Achistaca Trail, since it started off kinda chilly and I’m not wearing my fleece jacket. 😎 (2) Lots of signage and maps, hard to get too lost here. Upper Stevens Creek County Park, where Charcoal Road and Table Mtn trails come up. Table Mtn is closed rn @santaclaracountyparks ? (3) Dried up something fungus. Not squishy and gross (4) Along the shady Saratoga Gap Trail, lots of Polypodies unfurling. (5,6) Nancy wanted to see what California Nutmeg trees looked like, and srsly we couldn’t avoid seeing them! Lots of baby ones all along, and some juveniles. Couldn’t see the Momma trees up on the ridge but I’m sure they were watching us! #torreyacalifornica #californianutmeg In the Yew family, Taxaceae. First time they were “pointed” out to me was about 1995 in Napa County. (7) More fungus- they get fog up here- Sulfur Shelf? (8) All of a sudden we start seeing one of our fave Saxifraggles, Crevice Alumroots, so the habitat changed a bit! #heucheramicrantha (9) And Coast Barberry! #berberispinnata #berberispinnatassppinnata (10) The rocks and boulders along the trail loop here are pretty awesome too. Up the final hill and down a grassy knoll to the car! Some up and down along the whole trail (less than 800 ft elevation gain) and there’s a couple of out and back spots for a short fairly easy hike that are pretty with views. #allpreservesgreatandsmall #saratogagapopenspacepreserve #saratogagapopenspacepreservefall2022 #saratogagapopenspacepreservenativeplants #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpenos @midpenopenspace @midpenrangerspoa #upperstevenscreekcountypark
We’re on the #allpreservesgreatandsmall pre-hike for Saratoga Gap OSP and Docent Nancy had heard there were CA Nutmeg trees here, so I was on the alert- we hike up the Achistaca Trail first, and boom! I explain in my full benefit of limited-knowledge fashion about bark, growth pattern, and pokyness, compared to nearby Doug Firs. #torreyacalifornica (2) The oaks here though are amazeballs. #quercuschrysolepis (3) The small but cute. Rough-leafed Aster leaves. #eurybiaradulina We get to another warm grassland hillside… (4) Imbricate (Mountain in iNat speak) Phacelia! Cool. #phaceliaimbricata (5) Nekked Buckwheat looking cold. #eriogonumnudum (6) Our first CA Fuchsia sighting. #epilobiumcanum (7-9) The huge hillside full of Brittle-leaf Manzanitas! #arctostaphyloscrustacea #arctostaphyloscrustaceasspcrustacea (10) Ooooooh a Manzanita gall? Manzanita Leaf Gall Aphid? Galls are cool. #longridgeopenspacepreserve #longridgeopenspacepreservefall2022 #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpenos #midpeninsularegionalopenspacedistrict @midpenopenspace @midpenrangerspoa #midpenos
Torreya californica (Western Nut-Yew) Taxaceae (Yew Family) Pinales (Order of Conifers) This rare tree grows in scattered low mountain habitats around the Coast Range and Sierra Nevada. As a small, shade-loving tree, it's adapted to grow in the understory, and logging practices over the past 2 centuries have caused a drastic decline. Where they do persist, they can be locally common, and I saw lots resprouting after a wildfire in this particular area. The one in the last photo was already in an unusually open location, but when the fire came through much of the surrounding canopy was lost. Since then, this tree has died back somewhat, but the main leader is growing and looks pretty good.
Westonbirt trees with summer baubles 🎄 . 1. #quercusgreggii . 2. #melliodendronxylocarpum . 3. #calycanthusoccidentalis . 4. #ehretiadicksonii . 5. #torreyacalifornica . 6. #abieskawakamii . 7. #cathayaargyrophylla . 8. #cephalanthusoccidentalis . 9. #cephalotaxusharringtonia . 10. #paulowniatomentosa ‘Lilacina’ . #westonbirt #westonbirtarboretum #trees #treesinsummer #treecones #seedpods #acorns #treefruits #treeappreciation
Torreya californica #torreya #torreyacalifornica #nusseibe #taxoceae #koniferen #nadelgehölz #seltenheit #baumschule #baumschulgebiet #ammerland #westerstede
Jak moc náročné, je vysadit strom do půdy o konzistence betonu v tropických nekonečných vedrech si u nás zkouší mnoho návštěv😄. I dnes se arboretum dočkalo několika nových přírustků, například Cupressus sempervirens, pravý středomořský sloupovitý cypřiš-jak jinak do mediteránské části pozemku. Nově je v zemi i samec Torreya californica, který se přidal k již v zimě vysazené samici v sekci východního pobřeží USA a Oregonu. A pár dalších kusů. Půda byla na absolutní prach do hloubky 40 cm, hlouběji jsme se ani s krumpáčem nedokopali, na výsadbu stromů to ale stačilo. Na obzoru je další vlna veder, co na obzoru není jsou srážky. Ale konec léta je za rohem, září u nás bývají už značněji chladnější, bohužel i dost suchá, ale chladno by pomohlo udržet stromky aspoň s umělou zálivkou v dobrém stavu. #cupressussempervirens #cupressus #torreyacalifornica #torreya #trees #arboretum #boywithplants #nature #dendrology
#memorial to a former #teacher and #friend #remembered today at #tortworthcourt #arboretum. Thanks Sue🙏. #torreyacalifornica
California Nutmeg recovery after forest fire. Few conifers species survive after all needles burn. Torreya Californica is endemic to California, occurring in the Pacific Coast Ranges and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. This tree was burned by the Ranch Fire, the largest in California history up to that date, in July 2018, #torreyacalifornica #californianutmeg #ranchfire #mendocinonationalforest #mendocinocounty #conifer #california #eelriver #nature
California Nutmeg recovery after forest fire. Few conifers species survive after all needles burn. Torreya Californica is endemic to California, occurring in the Pacific Coast Ranges and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. This tree was burned by the Ranch Fire, the largest in California history up to that date, in July 2018, #torreyacalifornica #californianutmeg #ranchfire #mendocinonationalforest #mendocinocounty #conifer #california #eelriver #nature
Yesterday @orangerie.kruidtuin_leuven 1-5 and @arboretum.kapelleberg 6-10. 1,2. Crocus 3. Ilex latifolia 'Variegata' 4. Camellia 'Jury's Yellow' 5. Corylopsis pauciflora 6. Pinus densiflora 'Umbraculifera' 7. Pinus bungeana 8. Sequoia sempervirens 9. Mahonia sp. 10. Torreya californica #plantday #kruidtuinleuven #arboretumkapelleberg #crocus #ilexlatifoliavariegata #camellia #camelliajurysyellow #corylopsispauciflora #pinus #pinusbungeana #pinusdensifloraumbraculifera #sequoia #sequoiasempervirens #mahonia #torreya #torreyacalifornica
Letztes Jahr habe ich für meinen Sohn Christoph eine Patenschaft für einen Baum (eine mächtige Kalifornische Nusseibe) im Botanischen Garten Graz übernommen. Wegen Renovierungsarbeiten an den historischen Gewächshäusern war dieses Areal eine Zeit lang nicht für Besucher begehbar. Heute war es endlich so weit: wir konnten unseren Baum sehen! @botanischer_garten_graz @officialuni_graz #patenschaft #torreyacalifornica #pharmaziegraz
Ok might as well get the Mt. Tam Saga started. Lots of neat plants there. I still need to do a trip where I go at my own pace. Past 30 years it’s always with peeps who want to walk fast. 😄 (1) Right out of Pantoll parking you start seeing stuff, like Coast Silktassel, which is all over. #garryaelliptica (2,3) I recall all the Manzanitas; this time I got a slightly better look. Gotta plan a Me Neeter hike, with my @backcountrypress Neeter Book. I think this one is Cushing’s Manzanita, feel free to comment. #arctostaphylosglandulosa #arctostaphylosglandulosasspcushingiana (4) These ferns were all over the place; first I thot Parsley Fern, but that’s in the mtns. Lace Fern, genus Aspidotis- there are 3 species and they grow here and I may have seen them all, Carlotta’s is rare, a hybrid of A. californica and A. densa. Need fern hike too; kept getting told to keep walking. Sigh. I think this one’s Carlotta’s but not sure. Throwing them all out here for excitement- #aspidotis #aspidotiscalifornica #aspidotiscarlottahalliae #aspidotisdensa (5) So many ferns. Lots of Western Swords here. I haven’t yet seen the Dudley’s here tho’. (6) I don’t see this Fern often- Bird’s Foot Fern. There’s lots of Coffee Ferns here too BTW. #pellaeamucronata #pellaeamucronatavarmucronata (7) We’re still on the Matt Davis Trail, a bunch of California Nutmeg, Torreya californica! #torreyacalifornica (8) You go thru forest then clearing, with jaw-dropping views. (9,10) As well as seeing Jimbrush, Blueblossom, and Buckbrush Ceanothi, I’m seeing this funky low scraggly Ceanothus. 🤔 Everywhere. OK! Wavy-leafers! Come back in early Spring I think. #ceanothusfoliosus #ceanothusfoliosusvarfoliosus @mounttamalpaisstatepark @onetamalpais #tamalpaisfall2021
#torreya #torreyacalifornica #conifera #alberodinocemoscata
California Nutmeg- Torreya californica Location: Mount Umunhum (Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve) A rare find, present in shade of California Bay Laurel stands and forests, the California Nutmeg. Despite its name, the California Nutmeg is not related to the true nutmeg. California Nutmeg thrives in the shade, found in moist forests, usually dominated by California Bay Laurel, Coastal Redwoods, Coast Live Oak, and Canyon Live Oak. At Mount Umunhum, these trees were found with Pacific Madrones, Canyon Live Oaks, and California Bay Laurels. Much like the Western Hemlock found in Redwood forests in Northern California, the California Nutmeg plays the long game, stunting its growth until fires, wind, or a disease can open up the canopy. Similar to the Coastal Redwood and most fire adapted species, it is able to regrow from its stump or trunk after a wildfire. Interestingly, California Nutmeg trees can be either male or female, an oddity from its dual-gendered neighbors. Luckily, the tree can ensure male and female trees grow nearby due to dropped seeds being dispersed by gravity. As more germinate, isolated pockets of California Nutmeg can develop, ensuring both male and female trees are close enough to be successfully wind pollinated. The leaves appear similar to the leaves found on Coastal Redwoods; however, there are ways to prevent confusion. If the plant is old enough to have pronounced bark, California Nutmeg will have light tan bark with possible white splotches, whereas Coastal redwoods have a distinctive red bark coloration in dryer locations. Since the light coloration of California Nutmeg appears identical to the bark of Coastal Redwoods by the coast where fog can remove the tannins that give the tree its signature red bark, I’ll add another set of distinctions. The bark on California nutmeg trees are flat whereas the bark on Coastal Redwoods are ridged and have more texture (sometimes with slight fuzz on younger bark). The California Nutmeg is an oddity, an unusual conifer that has unique behavior. If you happen to encounter any, marvel its ingenuity as a background tree that adds flare to the ecosystems it’s found in. #torreyacalifornica
(1) Setting up camp at Black Mountain yesterday, I get the spot with view of San Jose. Did a 3.2 mile route in 2.5 hrs including a long lunch break and mandatory stops at trail junctions. I think I’ve always camped in this spot. I really like Black Mountain, except when it’s extremely hot or an intense rain storm, and I’ve done both. 😬 This weekend was nice. (2) Darth and Tori set up their tent, but like mine, it’s a one-person, so they have to flip a coin to see who camps under my rainfly. Usually they end up making survival shelters (which they take down afterwards), sleeping under the stars, or poaching space in my tent. (3) They head off to play cards and have chips and salsa and Gatorade (aka Happy Hour) with the Scouts while I get to hike around. There’s so many Lupines up the trail from here getting ready for next year. They sure have a Lupinus formosa vibe to me, rather than L. albifrons, but I’ll just have to come back for flowers! (4) I hike to the top. That’s the easiest section so far! 😆 It’s neat up here. Views of Santa Clara Valley- Mt. Hamilton on the left, Mt. Umunhum and Loma Prieta on the right. I was here for the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989, so seeing the name gives me a start. (5) Radio and stuff towers at the top. There’s Brushy Peak Regional Preserve! One of the few places here where you can see it. (6) North, looking up the Crystal Springs and San Andreas Reservoirs. We’re all straddling the San Andreas Fault Line. (7) There are awesome rocks at the top. (8) Rolling hills and @midpenopenspace preserves to the NW. (9) Heading down on the Monte Bello Rd Trail. Seeing Mt. Diablo/Tuyshtak, East Bay Hills, and part of the Black Mtn Trail from Rhus Ridge. It’s like 😨. Pops and I did that to train for Whitney many years ago. (10) Surprised to see a couple of baby CA Nutmeg trees here. No Mama in sight! #torreyacalifornica #montebelloridgeopenspacepreserve #midpenos @midpenopenspace #darthvaderdoingthings #darthandtori #darthandtorifall2021 #darthandtorigobackpacking
(1) At this sharp bend in the Zinfandel Trail at Mid Pen’s Picchetti Ranch OSP, I have often sat on that small boulder above the stream in the middle of the pic, wondering what is higher up. (2) Around the corner we find the California Nutmeg trees. I have seen this one many times. They are on really steep hillsides, and closer examination could mean a Ranger rescue. (3) I just noticed the larger group today! (4) And a reachable baby on the upper side of the hill! Dr. Monkeyflower gave the 👍🏼 health report. (5) The oldster conclave in the middle there has one member tilting a bit towards the creek. 😬 (6) There’s another family up the hill! Probably more around this general area as well. #torreyacalifornica (7) The first boundary sign between Picchetti and Stevens Creek Park. At first I saw “Zinfandel” Park. Ha ha! 😂🍷 Actually I knew better. Wishful thinking? (8) Whoo hoo! A shiny object I CAN reach with my hiking pole! (9) Weeeeurd- half a Smiley Face Mylar balloon. (10) After snagging said Mylar balloon in my trash bag, (and a little farther) back we go! Stevens Creek and the Reservoir have some water now, and there’s the Quarry, East Bay Hills, and Mt. Diablo/Tuyshtak. #picchettiranchopenspacepreserve #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpenos @midpenopenspace
Suite de ma sélection des plus belles plantes du jardin botanique de Nice / following my selection of the most beautiful plants of the botanical garden of Nice. 1. Vue sur la Baie des Anges depuis le jardin / view of the « baie des anges » from the garden. 2. pinus patula (pin pleureur du Mexique / Mexican weeping pine) 🇲🇽 3. encephalartos lebomboensis 🇿🇦 4. araucaria columnaris (Cook pine) 🇳🇨 5. araucaria cunninghamii (Hoop pine)🇦🇺 6. torreya californica (muscadier de Californie / California nutmeg tree) 🇺🇸 7. banksia integrifolia 🇦🇺 8. rhus lancea (Sumac africain / African Sumac) 🇿🇦 9. brachychiton rupestris (Queensland bottle tree) 🇦🇺 10. rhodosphaera rhodanthema (deep yellow wood)🇦🇺 #jardinbotaniquedenice #frenchriviera #nicecotedazur #pinuspatula #encephalartoslebomboensis #araucariacolumnaris #cookpine #hooppine #araucariacunninghamii #torreyacalifornica #banksiaintegrifolia #rhuslancea #brachychitonrupestris #queenslandbottletree #rhodosphaerarhodanthema #deepyellowwood
Vruchten van de #torreyacalifornica #californianutmeg zijn eetbaar. Geroosterd smaken ze naar pindanootjes. Je kan er ook olie uit persen. #herfst #voedselbos #arboretumkapelleberg #winksele
A massive Torreya californica at the Lisbon botanical garden. #torreyacalifornica
On the drawing board: my formal drawing of Torreya californica, California Nutmeg 🌿 properly protected from mishaps- like the time a drop of my blood 🩸(cut finger) fell on a finished piece 😫 this is how we learn 😃 . . . #botanicalart #treeart #tree #torreyacalifornica #coloredpencil #natureillustration #botanical #scientificillustration ✍🏼
On the drawing board: my formal drawing of Torreya californica, California Nutmeg in progress 🌿 properly protected from mishaps- like the time a drop of my blood 🩸(cut finger) fell on a finished piece 😫 this is how we learn 😃 . . . #botanicalart #treeart #tree #torreyacalifornica #coloredpencil #natureillustration #botanical #scientificillustration ✍🏼
So I’ve got this stumpy little tree growing on the top of a hill next to our water tanks in Rose Valley. It has fascinated me for years as to where this specimen came from as there are no other trees like it around.🤔 iNaturalist have suggested that it be a Torreya californica (California Nutmeg) which is a tree that is native to California, and endemic (limited) to California. But I’ve been getting suggestions that it also could be a Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) or a Pacific yew or Western yew (Taxus brevifolia). Either way it is wholly welcomed and I am sure going to love on it for as long as I’m around.🥰✌🏼 • July 1, 2021 • Rose Valley/Los Padres NF • 3,400 ft #torreyacalifornica #plantidentification #californianutmegtree #yew #tree #trees #californianativeplants #flora #inaturalist #rosevalley #mysweetmountainhome #lospadresnationalforest #nature #naturegram #sequoiasempervirens #coastredwood #pacificyew #westernyew #taxusbrevifolia
So yesterday after wandering around Picchetti Ranch OSP looking for fancy Clarkias, I drove up Stevens Canyon Rd a bit to see what I could see- Stevens Creek County Park and Fremont Older OSP are there too for you to check out. There are several “little parking lots” (see previous post about person wandering about and wondering where they parked). Having a paper or Avenza or other online map is helpful. I did see a small population of Clarkia unguiculata on the west side of the road. (1,2) Then I spot red, and go Wut? I don’t usually see Scarlet Monkeyflower except on the plant in a pot in my backyard that @instaglenn1 got me from a @northcoastcnps plant sale a lot of years ago. I’ve seen them at Pinnacles NP too. So basically, screech! There were a lot of them here in the damp ditch. They like damp ditches. #erythranthecardinalis (3-5) A side trip to McClellan Ranch to see if the Valley Broomrape growing under the gigantic old Elderberry were doing anything yet. They were not. #aphyllonvallicolum #aphyllonvallicola #orobanchevallicola The CA Native Plant Gardens at @mcclellanranchpreserve are looking pretty lush though. There’s always something blooming. @grassrootsecology takes care of a lot. The @scvasaudubon feeders are up again! Rewind back to Picchetti- (6) The CA Nutmeg tree. #torreyacalifornica (7) For next year- Fernald’s Iris #irisfernaldii (8) Barely visible moth in the gulch. (9) The Creambush or Ocean Spray are blooming now. They have a faint pleasant aroma. #holodiscusdiscolor (10) Looking down into Stevens Canyon from Zinfandel Trail to the Reservoir, Fremont Older OSP, Stevens Creek County Park, and across the Bay. #picchettiranchopenspacepreserve @midpenopenspace
Fort Ross State Historic Park . . . #fortross #oldgrowth #redwoods #burls #zombietrees #sonomacounty #savetheredwoods #stand4redwoods #stand4forests #nutmegtree #torreyacalifornica #sanandreasfault . . . (back for another tree survey along the San Andreas Fault...this time I found three remarkable spots; a zombie ground burl growing where a redwood was presumably snapped off at the ground--maybe from the 1868 Hayward or 1906 SF earthquake. An older temblor event that downed a tree and re-sprouted eight clonal and seed trees in a straight line along the fallen parent; guessing this was from an earthquake in the 1300's, based on the trees looking about 600-700 years old; who knows. And possibly spied the largest grove of Nutmeg Trees in Sonoma County; those spiky hemlock-like trees are not fun to navigate around. The pic is an old growth tree which is splitting and about to fall into a fault pit line; it still has embedded Grizzly Bear marks from an earlier pre-extinction era; determined because 8-9' off the ground is too high for the Black Bear reach... This old forgotten trail is overgrown, dangerous, and filled with pitfalls---my favorite kind of adventure.)
I am guessing this is the prickly regrowth of California Nutmeg, Torreya californica, from fire several years ago on Mt. St. Helena. #californianutmeg #torreyacalifornica #trees #conifers #evergreentrees #raretrees #mtsthelena #forestfires #regrowth #nature #hikingmtsthelena #taxaceae #nutmegyews #taxus #yew
With an errand to do in Cupertino, why not take a wander at Picchetti Ranch OSP? (1) Unintentional Lens-Rainbow On Peacocks tryna impress each other-or me. 😆 (2) Now he really is trying to impress another turkey! 🦃 (3) Heading along the Zinfandel Trail, looking for those hidden bottles of Zin, all we find is Giant Trillium leaves, flower of which will be Zin color. (4) Hounds Tongue Alley. (5) Blue Witch (6) There’s going to be a lot of Checker Lilies! #fritillariaaffinis (7) There are Fern Walls here- Western Sword, Polypodies, Coastal Woodfern, Goldback, Coffee, Maidenhair (8) View of Fremont Older OSP and Stevens Creek County Park (9,10) Oh yes, now I recall- there are CA Nutmeg trees here. Long pokey needles! Reminds me I get my first shot in a week or so. #torreyacalifornica #picchettiranchopenspacepreserve
Back to yesterday at Upper Stevens Creek County Park, which is delightfully situated between Monte Bello Ridge OSP (think Black Mountain) and Saratoga Gap OSP, and below the Bay Area Ridge Trail. As I mentioned, the family I met with the two little kids exclaiming over ever acorn and bug they saw and I marveled on how quiet and unpopulated it was, compared to the craziness at Long Ridge. I didn’t even go look to gape at all the cars at Wunderlich, Edgewood, Pulgas, and Huddart, Purisima, and El Corte de Madera. Anyway, back to nature- Just as I was thinking that I usually see California Nutmeg here, I get poked in the leg. Yep there you are, you sharp-needled CA endemic gymnosperm. Not a nutmeg at all, it’s in the Taxaceae family (think Yew). (1,2) Close-ups of the small guy, which means Momma is around somewhere. (3) There she is, although I know there are bigger ones around. Note for a good comparison, Douglas Fir above (in the Pinaceae family- not a fir 🤓😉). (4) CA Nutmeg bark; (5) Doug Fir bark. (6) Then we come along to another Piperia transversa Alley! Looking up and over- (7) yep, they like growing next to Pacific Madrones. (8) Riiiight- that tricky Dusky-footed Woodrat snagged a Do Not Disturb sign. (9) And more Piperia transversas- well one anyway- hanging with Fernald’s Iris (not to self, go there next March). (10) Another section of Chaparral and tons of Crispy Critter Manzanitas. (Brittle-leafers). I know the trail goes about 800 ft down, so let’s turn around here for today! I’ve never taken these trails all the way down to Stevens Creek, but it’s on the life list! #upperstevenscreekcountypark #santaclaracountyparks #torreyacalifornica #pseudotsugamenziesii #piperiatransversa #arbutusmenziesii #duskyfootedwoodrathome #duskyfootedwoodrat #irisfernaldii #arctostaphyloscrustacea #arctostaphyloscrustaceasspcrustacea #platantheratransversa
If you had never seen a California Nutmeg before, then how would you know what you were looking at? I realize the dilemma. So, here's a comparison between a branch off of a Coast Redwood and a California Nutmeg in my yard. The needles are twice as long and more spaced apart than in redwood. And the needle tips of California Nutmeg are incredibly sharp, not just pokey but more like trying to handle a cactus. I learned the other day from a friend that many specimens of California Nutmeg had been cut down for making wood crafts. I've also learned from the friend who had me dig this specimen off his father's ranch that they used to be used for fence posts. He also said farmers cut them down because they're incredibly spiny. The needles are pretty distinct and hard to mistake. I'm still itching from trying to get these photos. #californianutmeg #torreyacalifornica #coastredwood #sequoiasempervirens #dendrology
🇨🇵 #torreyacalifornica #torreya #muscadier #taxaceae #arboretumdelavalléeauxloups #chatenaymalabry #arbre #printemps2020
What is going on here you might ask? It’s a really cool fungal infection of a really cool tree! Torreya californica, is an uncommon conifer endemic to California (see their large, single seeded fleshy cone in photo 8 and it’s bark in 9). It’s in the yew family (Taxaceae) and is the sole host of the rust fungus Caeoma torreyae. When driving around a favorite haunt yesterday we saw a Torreya on the side of the road and wanted a look at it, especially after listening to the @indefenseofplants podcast earlier that day about the critically endangered Florida Torreya (Torreya taxifolia). I’ve seen a bunch of Torreya californica before, but this is the first time I’ve noticed this fungus infecting some of the needles!! Infected needles turn yellowish and curl, the undersides of the needles burst with two lines of spore bearing structures! I grabbed some infected needles and looked at the spores under my microscope (see photo 6). Being such an odd plant with no close relatives in the region, I knew the fungus must be something specific to Torreya! Sure enough it’s an obligate parasite of it! It also not well understood. Most rust fungi have at least two host species that they alternate on. For example white pine blister rust lives part of its life cycle infecting white pines and another part of its life infecting the leaves of currants (Ribes), with spores cast off each, infecting the other plant species. Caeoma torreyae’s alternate host, if it has one, is still unknown! Mysteries left to be solved by future botanists and mycologists! #torreyacalifornica #caeomatorreyae #caeoma #rustfungus #rustfungi #plantpathology #forestpathology #fungi #fungus #fungiperfecti #basidiomycota #taxaceae #torreya #californianutmeg #spores #botany #botanizing #botanist
Californian nutmeg (Torreya californica) is an evergreen conifer which despite its common name is not closely related to the true nutmeg. This species is rot-resistant and was used in the past by carpenters for fencing and bridges. Find it on our Threatened Tree Trail at the Arboretum. . . . . . #harcourtarboretum #threatenedtrees #threatenedtreetrail #oxfordshire #arboretum #vunerablespecies #threatenedspecies #trees #conservation #californian #californiannutmeg #torreyacalifornica #conifer #evergreen
Muir Woods has reopened & the flowering season has begun in celebration under the redwoods. 1 foetid adder’s tongue #scoliopusbigelovii 2 white trillium #trilliumovatum 3 CA toothwort #CardamineCalifornica 4 redwood sorrel #oxalisoregana 5 the rare CA nutmeg #TorreyaCalifornica 6 #sequoiasempervirens w/ Dan for scale #californiaflora #californiawildflowers #redwoodforest #muirwoods #nationalmonument #openthegovernment #pollinators #conifer #californiatrees #bulbs
A beautiful evening in Saratoga Gap and Long Ridge Open Space Preserves along Skyline Boulevard in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Photos #1 & 2. Ancient madrone, Arbutus menziesii Photo 3. Coast Oregon grape, Berberis pinnata (?) Photo 4. Crevice alumroot, Heuchera micrantha. Photo 5. Love your mother (nature), never let balloons loose! Photo 6. A baby California nutmeg, Torreya californica. A prickly Christmas tree! Photo 7. Canyon live oak acorns. Photo 8. California polypody, Polypodium californicum. Photo 9. Brittle leaf manzanita, Arctostaphylos crustacea Video: Black-tailed deer family.
Our California nutmeg trees (Torreya californica) have produced a nice crop of seeds this year! This beautiful and rarely grown conifer has lustrous deep green leaves each with a needle-like point. #rareplants #conifers #seedgrown #oregongrown #westernnatives #americanconifersociety #torreyacalifornica #trees #treesaretheview #cistusnurseryathome
Et les voici transformées ! Sublimes graines de Muscadier de Californie #picoftheday #handmadejewelry #earrings #jachetebelge #bijouxfaitsmain #bouclesdoreilles #ethnic #lapislazuli #torreyacalifornica #photodujour #bijoudujour #boutiqueetsy
Drupe of a Torreya californica in the display gardens at work. If you’re not familiar, this is the California nutmeg tree. Walking past it many folks might confuse it with Cephalotaxus—which makes sense since they’re related. Inside this pungent little fruit is one big seed. Yes, that is nice, but those stripes! I love stripes almost as much as I enjoy seeds. #drupe #torreya #torreyacalifornica #californianutmeg #cistusnursery #conifer #californiaendemic #californiatorreya
California nutmeg, endemic to the California coast, #torreyacalifornica is mostly ignored along the trails, limited to just a few spotty appearances. But when you are a tree whisperer, these innocent looking lower branches that can easily mix with the redwood and Douglas fir, actually freeze me in my tracks. If you could see me in action, I almost hurt my neck I pulled up short so quickly, stopped in my tracks nose in the air, eyes quickly searching to confirm what the sudden change in the forested landscape was all about. Reading the forested landscape. This one jumps off the page if you have been a tree seeker for a long time. The uninitiated don't know what to look for - for they are looking too hard. Just walk and let the forest come to you, both common and mispronounced Latin names welcome (who cares, as long as we're speaking in similar tongues), it's all good. I really only get in about a one, 8 hour hike a year. But I have achieved the Buddha stage of enlightenment where that one hike will provide me with enough material for the rest of the year. This summer however, I will indulge myself with two hikes in a single summer. "Oooooh" I say while I walk the trail, seeing all manner, known and new to me. . What I'm trying to say is that I will be an ISA Exam Administrator tomorrow morning somewhere in California - keep your eyes on your own exam please. I hope to make some serious progress on Ulysses by Joyce - that's how you'll know my identity. No secret handshakes required.
Here’s a most unusual plant... Torreya californica! Commonly called nutmeg around here, though it’s not related to the spice nutmeg. This plant is a conifer somewhat closely related to yews and have a cone that has been modified into a huge drupe. The needles are long, glossy and have a really sharp spined tip. It’s federally listed as a threatened species although it can be abundant in the little pockets where it does exist, as it was today. It is endemic to California and is found only in tiny pockets in the Sierra foothills and coast ranges. Interestingly there is one other Torreya in the US found in the Florida panhandle. The Florida species, Torreya taxifolia, is extremely endangered and have a population of about 500 individuals with only about 10 able to bear fruit and reproduce (as of the year 2000.) This population was, like so many other species, obliterated by an unknown fungus around the year 1950 and extinction in the wild is almost certain. Torreya californica is fairing much better, but this is still a rather rare species and worth keeping around! This genus is named after John Torrey, a prolific 19th century botanist and for all you peak baggers out there, the 14er Torreys Peak in the Colorado front range is also named after him. Nearby Grays peak is named after Asa Gray, the most famous botanist of the 1800s and Mount Lemmon in Arizona is named after another famed botanist Sara Plummer Lemmon. Alpine and mountainous habitats are magnets for botanists! #torreyacalifornica #torreya #cephalotaxaceae #californianutmeg #raretrees #rareplants #cnps #calflora #californianativeplants #conifer #conifers #forestry #botany #botanists #botanize
A few patches of California nutmeg #torreyacalifornica along the trail at Butano State Park. Ow! You can draw blood!
Stunning! It's almost two stories tall and #flowering! Name that #plant, go! #CANativePlants Remember the #poem...
😍🌲 The rare and threatened #CaliforniaNutmeg ( #TorreyaCalifornica), an #evergreen #conifer native only to certain middle elevation areas here in the #CentralCalifornia coast as well as the #SierraNevada foothills. The #biodiversity of #California is pretty mind boggling really! One of the things I love about living here. #norcal #torreya #notaredwood #redwoodforest #redwoodcoast #bayarea #sfbayarea #mttam #mttamalpais #marin #visitmarin #californianativeplant #winter #winterincalifornia #temperaterainforest #northerncalifornia #nature #naturelover #nativeplants #gooutsideandplay #madeincalifornia #biomorphics
California nutmeg #torreyacalifornica not so obvious since it’s coniferous branches blend in with our native fir and bay forests🌲 #getoutside #explorenature #californianutmeg #sobeautiful #norcal
Old-growth California Nutmeg on the slopes of Bolinas Ridge #californianutmeg #torreyacalifornica #bolinasridge #marinwater #mmwd #mttamwatershed #OneTam #onetamalpais #mounttamalpais #mounttam #igersmarin #igersnorthbay #wildbaynature #optoutside #mttamalpais #wildcalifornia #nature #outdoors #marin #california #california_igers #explorecalifornia #naturephotography #marincounty
Bark of an Old-growth California Nutmeg #californianutmeg #torreyacalifornica #bolinasridge #marinwater #mmwd #mttamwatershed #OneTam #onetamalpais #mounttamalpais #mounttam #igersmarin #igersnorthbay #wildbaynature #optoutside #mttamalpais #wildcalifornia #nature #outdoors #marin #california #california_igers #explorecalifornia #naturephotography #marincounty
A coffee table in white oak and nutmeg. Textured drawer front is still in mockup stage. #coffeetable #furniture #design #woodworking #whiteoak #californianutmeg #torreyacalifornica
Digging the cthonic energy #torreyacalifornica #ortobotanicofirenze #yew #sundayinthecity #hotseptember #summer2016 #lookingforwardtoautumn #atmosferainglese
Ouch! Hey, watch it, little California nutmeg #torreyacalifornica . Where's your momma anyway? Oh! There she is! #stevenscreekcountypark
#Torreya #californica—California nutmeg. There are two species of Torreya in North America separated by the width of the continent: Torreya taxifolia, the stinking cedar found along the banks of the Appalachicola River in northern Florida, and T. californica from the redwood forests, north coast ranges, and Sierra Nevada of California. There are also three to five species in East Asia. One of these from Japan, T. nucifera—known as "kaya"—is famous for its use in fine cabinetry and, especially, for the best Go boards. All these relict species are threatened by human use, although some cannot be labeled "rare and endangered". The tree that provided the twig for this photo resides in #RegionalParksBotanicGarden located in #TildenRegionalPark near #Berkeley, CA. #CaliforniaNativePlant #wildflower #TildenBotanicGarden #TildenBotGarden #RPBG #BotGarden #canative #naturelovers #plants #ebrpd #ebparksok #Torreyacalifornica #Californianutmeg
Walk. #torreyacalifornica #californianatives #naturallandscapes #conserve #killyourlawn