TORREYA californica. Californica nutmeg. This is one of California’s two members of the yew family, and one of our most unusual conifers. It is extremely variable in size and shape. I have seen it as a straggling 6’ shrub and as a towering 50’ tree. In both cases, it has had pendulous branches, the younger ones closely lined by deep green, sharply pointed needles, usually 1-2" long. It is inconspicuous in bloom but, in late summer and fall, carries a burden of ornamental nutmeg-shaped fruits, each up to 1" long. My apologies to the forgotten source of our seeds, which were collected from some of the best trees I have seen. California nutmeg is–disregarding the pain factor–easily pruned and shaped. However, it is pretty just left alone, if not too heavily shaded. It thrives in sun or light shade near the coast, part shade inland, in most reasonably well drained soils, with moderate watering. Probably hardy to 10oF. or less.