This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Cephalotaxus harringtonia
  • Japanese Plum Yew

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

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Hedge
    Hedge
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Partial sun
    Partial sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 7
    Zone 7
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Cephalotaxus harringtonia has 0 edible uses listed
Cephalotaxus harringtonia has 0 material uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit. - raw or cooked. About 2 - 3cm long[1]. The fruit of this plant is said to be astringent and inedible even when fully ripe[1]. However, several of its sub-species produce a very nice sweet fruit - see cultivation details for more information. Seed - raw or cooked[2][3]. Oily[4] with a slightly resinous flavour[K]. The seed is up to 15mm long.

Fruit

Unknown use

Unknown part

Oil

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

An oil obtained from the seed is used as an illuminant[3]. Very tolerant of pruning, this plant makes a very good hedge in shady positions[1].

Unknown part

Oil

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Cephalotaxus harringtonia.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Hedge

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[5], 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[1]. 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[4][1]. Difficult[5].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Cephalotaxus harringtonia. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a moist well-drained sandy soil but succeeds in most soils though it dislikes dry gravelly or chalky soils[4][1]. Prefers a position in semi-shade but tolerates full shade[6][2] and it also succeeds but does not usually thrive in full sun[1]. It grows very well in the mild wet coastal region of W. Scotland where it succeeds even in full sun[1]. Requires a humid sheltered site[1], strongly disliking very exposed positions[4].

Although the dormant plant is very cold-hardy, 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]. The Japanese plum yew is a very slow growing tree[7] with an excellent potential as a food crop in Britain. It generally has a large crop of fruit and seeds, these 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[K]. There has been some confusion in the naming of this species. Some botanists have separated off C. drupacea as a separate species, though most nowadays include it as a subspecies of this plant as C. harringtonia drupacea. (Sieb.&Zucc.)Koidzumi., differing from the species in its shortly pedunculate male catkins[2]. In cultivation it is often known as the variety 'Fastigiata'[2]. Another subspecies, C. harringtonia nana. (Nakai.)Rehd. is a small spreading shrub to 2 metres, spreading by means of suckers[2][1]. This form is said to have the best fruit of this genus[1], it is a very hardy plant, succeeding as far north as S. Sweden and Nova Scotia[1].

Plants are dioecious, but female plants sometimes produce fruits and infertile seeds in the absence of any male plants[6]. 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[2]. Male cones are produced in the axils of the previous year's leaves, whilst female cones are borne at the base of branchlets[1].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Cephalotaxus harringtonia. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Cephalotaxus harringtonia.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Cephalotaxus harringtonia
Genus
Cephalotaxus
Family
Cephalotaxaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4]
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
[3][1]
Botanic
[6][1][8]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Hedge
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
partial sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    slow
    Mature Size
    5 x 3 meters
    Fertility
    self sterile
    Pollinators
    Wind
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    dioecious

    "image:Cephalotaxus harringtonia BotGardBln1105WithSeeds.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cephalotaxus harringtonia BotGardBln1105WithSeeds.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cephalotaxus harringtonia BotGardBln1105WithSeeds.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Cephalotaxus harringtonia BotGardBln1105WithSeeds.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cephalotaxus harringtonia BotGardBln1105WithSeeds.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Cephalotaxus harringtonia BotGardBln1105WithSeeds.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Cephalotaxus harringtonia BotGardBln1105WithSeeds.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Cephalotaxus harringtonia BotGardBln1105WithSeeds.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cephalotaxus harringtonia BotGardBln1105WithSeeds.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cephalotaxus harringtonia BotGardBln1105WithSeeds.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cephalotaxus harringtonia BotGardBln1105WithSeeds.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cephalotaxus harringtonia BotGardBln1105WithSeeds.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cephalotaxus harringtonia BotGardBln1105WithSeeds.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Cephalotaxus harringtonia BotGardBln1105WithSeeds.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.001.011.021.031.041.051.061.071.081.091.101.111.121.131.141.15 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.6 Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm ISBN 0-7470-2801-X (1987-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    7. ? Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO ISBN 0-11-710012-9 (1975-00-00)
    8. ? www.foj.info Flora of Japan ()

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-109" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

    "image:Cephalotaxus harringtonia BotGardBln1105WithSeeds.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Cephalotaxus_harringtonia&oldid=76092"
    Facts about "Cephalotaxus harringtonia"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCephalotaxaceae +
    Belongs to genusCephalotaxus +
    Functions asHedge +
    Has common nameJapanese Plum Yew +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit +, Unknown part + and Seeds +
    Has edible useUnknown use + and Oil +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Wind +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has growth rateSlow +
    Has hardiness zone7 +
    Has imageCephalotaxus harringtonia BotGardBln1105WithSeeds.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useOil +
    Has mature height5 +
    Has mature width3 +
    Has primary imageCephalotaxus harringtonia BotGardBln1105WithSeeds.JPG +
    Has search namecephalotaxus harringtonia + and x +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferencePartial sun +
    Has taxonomy nameCephalotaxus harringtonia +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +