Torreya grandis (Chinese:
Torreya grandis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Gymnospermae |
Division: | Pinophyta |
Class: | Pinopsida |
Order: | Cupressales |
Family: | Taxaceae |
Genus: | Torreya |
Species: | T. grandis
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Binomial name | |
Torreya grandis Fortune ex Lindl.
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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 "eliminating malnutrition" (
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]
In Europe and North America, T. grandis is used as an ornamental tree.[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 (
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" (
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
- ^ 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.
- ^ Eckenwalder, J.E. 2009. Conifers of the World: The Complete Reference. Timber Press.
- ^ 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) - ^ a b Christopher J. Earle (2011). "Chamaecyparis". The Gymnosperm Database. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ LI Zhang-ju; CHENG Xiao-jian; DAI Wen-sheng; ZENG Yan-ru (2005). "Origin of Torreya grandis 'Merrillii'". Journal of Zhejiang Forestry College.
- ^ 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. - ^ 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
- ^ "New plants: Torreya grandis". The Gardeners' Chronicle and Agricultural Gazette (47 (November 21)): 788–789. 1857.
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Torreya grandis
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Torreya grandis close-up
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Torreya grandis "nuts"