The genus Cephalotaxus is a very difficult one taxonomically since most species are very similar and the key differences that distinguish them generally intergrade morphologically. Over 70 names have been published, though modern treatments usually restrict the genus to between 6 - 8 species. It can be difficult to know how to identify individual plants, with differences of opinion coming from decisions of taxonomists in different countries. We are following the treatment in Lang, X.D., Su, J.R., Lu, S.G. & Zhang, Z.J. (2013). A taxonomic revision of the genus Cephalotaxus (Taxaceae). Phytotaxa 84: 1-24.[].

Common Name: Chinese Plum Yew

General Information

Cephalotaxus fortunei is an evergreen shrub or a tree with an open, loosely rounded crown; it can grow up to 20 metres tall. The plant is usually multi-stemmed, the bole can be 30cm or more in diameter[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of oil. Its foliage is harvested commercially as the souce of compounds used to make anticancer drugs. The plant is grown as an ornamental, where different cultivars can be used as a hedge or ground cover.
A very widespread and common species with no major threats. It regenerates well in secondary and disturbed forest. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - central and southern China, northern Myanmar

Habitat

An understorey tree or shrub in broad-leaved forests, mixed conifer-broad-leaved forests and in coniferous forests; also common as a shrub or small tree in open thickets and on roadsides in secondary vegetation; at elevations from 200 - 3,700 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	6.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Cephalotaxus fortunei is fairly cold tolerant when dormant, tolerating temperatures that can fall below -15°c[]. The young growth in spring however, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[].
Prefers a moist well-drained sandy soil but succeeds in most soils though it dislikes dry gravelly or chalky soils[, ]. Prefers a position in semi-shade but tolerates full shade[, ] and it also succeeds but does not usually thrive in full sun[]. It grows very well in the mild wet coastal region of W. Scotland where it succeeds even in full sun[]. Requires a humid sheltered site[], strongly disliking very exposed positions[].
The Chinese plum yew is a very slow growing shrub or small tree[] that has excellent potential as a nut crop in Britain. It usually fruits regularly and well in most parts of the country[] and does well in Cornwall[]. Trees growing in the shade of other conifers fruit regularly and heavily at Kew Botanical gardens and, unlike most nut trees there, the seeds do not get eaten by the squirrels[]. Although we have seen no records of edibility for the seed of this species, the closely related Cephalotaxus harringtonia does have edible seed[].
There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[]. 'Grandis' is a long leafed female form[]. 'Longifolia' is male but otherwise similar to 'Grandis'[]. 'Prostrata' (syn 'Prostrate Spreader') is a procumbent ground-covering plant that arose as cuttings from a side-shoot of a normal plant[], a plant of this cultivar was seen with a very heavy crop of immature fruit in mid September 1994 at Hillier Arboretum[].
Plants are dioecious, but female plants sometimes produce fruits and infertile seeds in the absence of any male plants[]. However, at least one male plant for every five females should be grown if you are growing the plants for fruit and seed. Plants have also been known to change sex[]. Male cones are produced in the axils of the previous year's leaves, whilst female cones are borne at the base of branchlets[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[]. Fairly large, it is about 30mm x 15mm[]. We have no further details, though it is closely related to Cephalotaxus harringtonia, the fruit of which is edible raw if fully ripe[]. The fruit does not always ripen in Britain, before full ripeness it has a disgusting resinous flavour that coats the mouth and refuses to go away for hours[].

It is quite possible that the seed of this species is also edible[]. The ellipsoid seed is 13 - 24mm long and 7 - 14mm wide[].

Medicinal

Substances from the plant have shown anticancer activity[].
The leaves and bark are used to extract chemicals for treating cancer[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Some forms of this species are procumbent in habit and can be used as ground cover in shady places[].
Very tolerant of pruning, this plant makes a very good hedge in shady positions[, ].

Other Uses

An oil extracted from the succulent aril enclosing the seed was traditionally used as lamp oil[].

The wood of this taxons is of limited economic value[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[], it should then germinate in the following spring[]. A hard seedcoat can delay germination, especially in if the seed is not sown as soon as it is ripe[, ]. Stored seed should be cold-stratified and sown in a cold frame in the spring[]. Germination can take 18 months or more. Prick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on for at least their first winter under cover. Plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts.
Greenwood cuttings of terminal shoots, mid summer to early autumn in a humid cold frame[, ]. Difficult[].