Torreya californica Torr., California Nutmeg, family Taxaceae
Evergreen, native to California grown for ornament in western Europe. Height to about 21m (70ft) or more in the wild. Male flowers are about 0.8cm (1/3 in) long, turn yellow and shed pollen in June. Females, on separate plants, are tiny and green at the base of new shoots. Fruits about 3.7cm (1½in) long, shining green with purple streaks and containing a large brown seed. Those shown in the photograph are preserved specimens. Leaves are dark yellowish green above with 2 whitish bands underneath and taper to a hard sharp spine.