Plant Details

Torreya nucifera

Kaya, Japanese torreya

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Common names

19 names · 13 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Japanese nutmeg yew[1]
  • Japanese nutmeg-yew[1]
  • Japanese torreya[1]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Other languages (12)
Dutch
  • Japanse Taxus
  • Japanse torreya[1]
  • Noottaxus
French
  • Torreya du Japon
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 日本榧树[1]
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • toreja japonská[1]
German
  • Japanische Nusseibe[1]
Japanese
Korean
  • 비자나무[1]
Lithuanian
  • Riešutinė torėja[1]
Polish
  • torreja orzechowa[1]
Russian
  • Торрейя орехоносная[1]
Slovak
  • toreja japonská[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Torreya nucifera — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Japanese torreya — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 55197; Torreya nucifera.
  • kaya — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 55197; Torreya nucifera.
  • カヤ — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 55197; Torreya nucifera.
  • 榧 — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 55197; Torreya nucifera.
  • toreja japonská — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 55197; Torreya nucifera.
  • 日本榧树 — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 55197; Torreya nucifera.
  • 日本榧 — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 55197; Torreya nucifera.
  • 비자나무 — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 55197; Torreya nucifera.
  • torreja orzechowa — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 55197; Torreya nucifera.
  • Japanese nutmeg-yew — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 55197; Torreya nucifera.
  • Japanese nutmeg yew — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 55197; Torreya nucifera.
  • Riešutinė torėja — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 55197; Torreya nucifera.
  • Торрейя орехоносная — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 55197; Torreya nucifera.
  • Japanse torreya — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 55197; Torreya nucifera.
  • toreja japonská — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 55197; Torreya nucifera.
  • Japanische Nusseibe — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 55197; Torreya nucifera.

General information

Scientific name: Torreya nucifera
Accepted name (Kew): Torreya nucifera (L.) Siebold & Zucc. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Taxaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Torreya (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Kaya, Japanese torreya
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Nut tree
Catalogue size class: Large
Height: 20.00 m
Spread: 10.00 m
Growth rate: Slow
Foliage: Evergreen

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 6-8
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Shade, Partial shade

Uses

Edible parts:
Seed, Oil
Edibility rating:
(5)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
None

Description

Seeds can be eaten raw, cooked, or added to confections. They have a pleasant sweet and slightly resinous taste. The aromatic flavor is generally appreciated, and they are consumed in large quantities, although excessive consumption can have a laxative effect. The seeds also contain edible oil that is often used in cooking.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/10
Harvest ends: 30/11

Crown

Crown shape: Narrow pyramidal
Crown density: Dense crown

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1215648; name ID 378645; Torreya Arn.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1215623; name ID 378632; Torreya nucifera (L.) Siebold & Zucc..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Torreya nucifera

    Taxonomic data from WFO Pinopsida, version 2026-06 01, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 1399797, ID 57GNP: Torreya nucifera (L.) Siebold & Zucc. (accepted).

    Source checked on .