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having deciduous leaves and attaining a height of 40-50 fts.
Barren and fertile flowers bloom separately on distinct plants.
The leaves resemble the webbed foot of a duck. In spring
flowers appear with the young leaves. The fruits ripen late in
autumn. They are round and of a pale yellow colour. The nuts
are obtained by taking off the fleshy substance. They are ^-
inch in length, and their kernels are eaten baked or boiled, or
used in confectionery.
217. Torreya nucifera, S. et Z., Jap. Kaya, Kaye ; an
evergreen tree of the order Conifers, growing wild every-where,
but also cultivated for ornamental purposes. It attains a height
of several feets. In winter it blooms male and female flowers
separately on distinct plants.
Its fruits ripen late in autumn.
The fruits are oblong or oval with a resinous flesh covering the
nut, which is first steeped in ash-water, then in fresh water,
afterwards dried and preserved. The nuts consist of two sorts,
round or oval. They are eaten raw or baked, and have an
aromatic flavour. They are also used in confectionery
taking oil.
or for
217. b. Torreya nucifera, S. et Z., var., Jap. ShibunasJii-gaya,
Hadaka-gaya ; a variety of the former. The inner
skin of the nut is attached to the shell, and the kernel is easily
separated from it. This is called the bare Torreya nut, and is of
the best quality. The provinces of Mino, Iga, and Yamato are
noted for its production.
217. c. Pinus koraiensis, S. et Z., Jap. Cliosen-matsuno-mi
; the seeds of Pinus koraiensis (687). The kernels o
these seeds are eaten and have a resinous aromatic flavour. The
acorn is about 6 inches in length, and its seed about half an inch
long.
217. d. Cycas revoluta, 77*., Jap. Sotetsu-no-mi ; the
seeds of this plant are produced among the leaves at the head of
trunk. Several grains are attached to a brownish peduncle, and
in autumn they ripen to a vermilion-red flat oval form about 1