Practical
Plants

Cephalotaxus oliveri

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Cephalotaxus genus in the family Cephalotaxaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
3 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Wind
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have no details for this species but it is in a genus where many of the members have edible seed and fruit[K]. The fruit is up to 3cm long[4]. It is certainly worthy of more research[K]. 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[K].

Plant part
Fruit
Plant part
Seed

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Very tolerant of pruning, this plant makes a very good hedge in shady positions[4].

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
E. Asia - W. China - Sichuan, Hubei.
Habitat
An understorey shrub in woodlands[4]. Coniferous and broad-leaved forests at elevations of 300 - 1800 metres[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[3], it should then germinate in the following spring[K]. A hard seedcoat can delay germination, especially in if the seed is not sown as soon as it is ripe[81, K]. Stored seed should be cold-stratified and sown in a cold frame in the spring[4]. 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, August/September in a humid cold frame[1][4]. Difficult[3].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a moist well-drained sandy soil but succeeds in most soils though it dislikes dry gravelly or chalky soils[1][4]. Prefers a position in semi-shade but tolerates full shade[2][6] and it also succeeds but does not usually thrive in full sun[4]. It grows very well in the mild wet coastal region of W. Scotland where it succeeds even in full sun[4]. Requires a humid sheltered site[4], strongly disliking very exposed positions[1]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[4]. The young growth in spring, 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[K]. Plants are dioecious, but female plants sometimes produce fruits and infertile seeds in the absence of any male plants[2]. 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[6]. Male cones are produced in the axils of the previous year's leaves, whilst female cones are borne at the base of branchlets[4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11

  5. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  6. Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X

    ↩1↩2

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