In the Flora of China[], this species is treated as a variety of Taxus wallichiana. Recent morphometric and molecular research has indicated that the northern Vietnam populations represent distinct lineages: further research is needed to establish if they represent distinct taxa[]
The species of Taxus are more geographically than morphologically separable; and they were all treated by Pilger (1903) as subspecies of Taxus baccata. All species are poisonous; most contain the anti-cancer agent taxol; and a study of heartwood constituents of Taxus baccata, Taxus brevifolia, Taxus cuspidata and Taxus floridana found them to be chemically almost identical. However, the vast ecological amplitude displayed by the various described species (over 60° of latitude and an impressive temperature and precipitation range) suggests that they are, in a meaningful sense, true species. Detailed study of the genus (not neglecting the cultivated representatives), including extensive fieldwork, is much needed and long overdue[].

Common Name:

General Information

Taxus chinensis is an evergreen shrub or a tree that can sometimes grow up to 30 metres tall. The bole, which often branches from low down, can be up to 130cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is also harvested on a commercial basis for its stems and bark, which are a source of the anticancer drug 'taxol'. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental.
Taxus chinensis has undergone a large population reduction (more than 50%) since the 1990s as a result of the discovery of the importance of this species for treating cancer. There are attempts now to propagate this species to meet the demand, however, exploitation of wild plants is likely to continue but probably at a lower rate than before. Exploitation has reduced the population in many areas of China although the species is still wide-spread. Logging and deforestation in Viet Nam may have had a bigger impact as populations there are small; it may have reduced the species to some extent to the less accessible places. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant, except the flesh of the fruit (actually an aril), are potentially highly poisonous. They contain the alkaloid taxine and , if ingested, can cause nervousness, trembling, slow pulse, pupil dilation, difficult breathing, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness and convulsions - in larger doses it can be fatal, having a paralyzing affect on the heart[, , , , , , ].

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - central and southern China

Habitat

Evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forests, often among bamboos, frequently along streams; at elevations from 1,100 - 2,700 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are very shade tolerant[], though they can also succeed in full sun. They thrive in almost any soil, acid or alkaline, as long as it is well-drained[, ]. Succeeds in dry soils. Plants grow best in a position sheltered from cold, dry winds[].
Generation lengths are estimated to be at least 40 years based on this species' slow growth rates and longevity (1,000 years)[].
In Viet Nam, the plant occurs in the northern limestone karst formations on steep slopes and on ridges in subtropical to tropical evergreen forest at elevations between 900 - 1,500 metres[]. There are numerous small-leaved angiosperm trees and shrubs and an abundance of epiphytes due to high rainfall and frequent fog[]
This species does not form dense stands in any part of its range and tends to be sporadic in its occurrence in forests[].
In horticulture it has been used in bonsai and to a limited extent as a garden shrub. It is doubtful whether this species is in cultivation outside China and Viet Nam[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

We have no specific information for this species, but the fruit (a fleshy aril) of all members of the genus should be edible. The following is a general description.
Fruit - raw[, , , , ]. Very sweet and gelatinous, most people find it delicious though some find it sickly[]. A number of people who like the flavour do not like the texture which is often described as being 'snotty'[]
All other parts of this plant, including the seed, are highly poisonous. When eating the fruit you should spit out the large seed found in the fruit's centre. Should you swallow the whole seed it will just pass straight through you without harm. If it is bitten into, however, you will notice a very bitter flavour and the seed should immediately be spat out or it could cause some problems. The fruit is a fleshy berry about 10mm in diameter and containing a single seed[].

Medicinal

Extracts of many parts of the plant (roots, wood, bark and leaves) are used in traditional Chinese medicine, while in modern times it has been exploited for the production of anti-cancer drugs such as Taxol, which are derived from the bark and leaves[].

Other Uses

The bark of most, if not all species of taxus is a moderate source of tannins[, ]. It is used in several species to produce a red dye[].

The seeds are rich in oil, though treatment is required to neutralize the poisonous alkaloids[].

The wood of this species is used in China in construction, cooperage, for the making of furniture, and for wood carving and turning. In Viet Nam it is also used for irrigation paddles in rice fields[].

Propagation

Seed - can be very slow to germinate, often taking 2 or more years[, ]. It is best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn when it should germinate 18 months later. Stored seed may take 2 years or more to germinate. 4 months warm followed by 4 months cold stratification may help reduce the germination time[]. Harvesting the seed 'green' (when fully developed but before it has dried on the plant) and then sowing it immediately has not been found to reduce the germination time because the inhibiting factors develop too early[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in pots in a cold frame. The seedlings are very slow-growing and will probably require at least 2 years of pot cultivation before being large enough to plant out. Any planting out is best done in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts[].
Cuttings of half-ripe terminal shoots, 5 - 8cm long, July/August in a shaded frame. Should root by late September but leave them in the frame over winter and plant out in late spring[]. High percentage[].
Cuttings of ripe terminal shoots, taken in winter after a hard frost, in a shaded frame[].
Layering