Shade tree. It is known for its smooth light gray bark. Its leaves turn yellow and then light brown remaining on the tree until nearly spring and providing interest to the winter landscape. If you are privileged to have this tree in the landscape, retain and protect it.

Wildflower garden especially in sunny moist areas.

Use in moist areas as a wildflower. It is semi-woody, and if given adequate moisture can be a specimen plant.

Wildflower in moist garden, edge of water garden, understory plant in wet woods or stream edges

Invasive in many parts of the world.  It is either a blessing or a pest in Florida depending on where it is. Good addition to a freedom lawn.

Fragrant flowers and crushed foliage smells like limes. Dioecious: male and female flowers are on separate plants. Hedge, buffer or screen plant where its thorns will be an asset. Foliage is aromatic.  This author has one growing as a specimen plant and loves its shape and the shiny green rather lacey foliage.

This tree is subject to Dutch elm disease. Dutch elm disease has not been detected in Florida (IFAS 2008). In most of eastern North America, this tree has largely disappeared from landscape use due to mass mortality from Dutch elm disease. Shade tree, used as a street tree noted for its spreading urn-shaped crown. Tolerant of root disturbance.

USF Plant Atlas location in Hillsborough appears to have been from seed in imported soil - the one in St. Lucie County has been removed from the FLAS database (likely it was an error). The Institute for Regional Conservation reports the species to be extirpated in Florida  though it is occasionally cultivated, potentially from imported plants.  Images provided here are from a specimen cultivated by Roger Hammer. Use as a specimen plant.

Forms thickets. Best used as a screen or buffer plant.

Not typically seen for sale, but a good addition to the aquatic garden.

Useful for lakeshore stabilization, water quality improvement, wetland creation/restoration, and as a background plant for wetland ponds.

In the wild, Torreya is dying out due to disease. If choosing to plant this species, obtain disease-free (out-of-state) specimens and plant well-removed from the Apalachicola River so that the planted specimens will not become infected. This is a federally endangered species, it cannot be transplanted or transported without landowner permission and/or appropriate permits. There are also issues with planting this since the disease is easily transmittable (Chapman 2019).  Bottom line, this is not something to do without consulting conservation specialists. To participate in FNPS restoration and protection efforts for this species, see http://torreyakeepers.fnps.org. Specimen tree.

Pitchers (leaves) are mostly green with red coloration near the upper parts. Bog gardens.

Has shiny, stiff leaves 2.5 to 5 inches long. Often used as a hedge plant. Fast growing. Can also work as an individual specimen. A good choice for dune stabilization.

Occurs naturally at the edges of wooded areas and creates a hedge-like appearance.