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: Dwarf Japanese Plum Yew

General Information

Cephalotaxus nana is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow up to 4 metres tall[].
The plant is often harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It has excellent potential as a cultivated food crop and is also often grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a hedge.
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 - southern China, southern Korea, northern and central Japan.

Habitat

An understorey shrub in woodlands[, ]. In deciduous forests from near sea level to elevations of 600 metres[]. Thickets in mountainous areas; at elevations from 200 - 2,500 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Cephalotaxus nana is a very frost-resistant plant when dormant, succeeding as far north as southern Sweden and Nova Scotia[].
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 dwarf Japanese plum yew is a very slow growing plant[] with an excellent potential as a food crop in Britain. The fruit and the seed are often eaten in Japan. In addition, the seeds seem to be immune to the predations of squirrels, the seed on trees growing at Kew Botanical gardens being untouched even though virtually every other nut tree there has its crop destroyed[].
This sub-species is a small spreading shrub to 2 metres, spreading by means of suckers[, ]. It is said to have the best fruit of this genus[].
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. - raw or cooked. Plum-like and very sweet when fully ripe, with a hint of pine in its flavour[, ]. The fruit is about 20 - 30mm long[]. 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[].

Seed - raw or cooked[, ]. Oily[]. The seed has a firm texture with a slightly resinous flavour[]. The obovoid seed can be 18 - 20mm long[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Very tolerant of pruning, this plant makes a very good hedge in shady positions[].

Other Uses

An oil obtained from the seed is used as an illuminant[].

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[].
Division of self-layered stems and suckers in early autumn or mid-spring.