Chinese Plum Yew
Cephalotaxus sinensis

Family: Cephalotaxaceae

What it is like

Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Oval, Pyramidal.

Cephalotaxus sinensis is an evergreen Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft 5in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 5

Where it is found

Montane coniferous or mixed forests, thickets, stream valleys, valley bottoms, open situations, on granite, sandstone, and limestone substrates at elevations of 600 - 3200 metres.

E. Asia - E. and C. China.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Taiwan,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Fruit. Fairly large, about 25mm x 17mm. No more details, though it is closely related to C. 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 likely that the seed of this species is also edible. More research is required.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 1

Extracts from the plant have shown anticancer activity. The branches, roots, leaves, and seeds are a source of many alkaloids, which are used to treat leukaemia and lymphosarcoma.

Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.

Other

Rating: 3

Very tolerant of pruning, this plant makes a very good hedge in shady positions. The wood is used to make furniture, farm implements, crafts, and utensils.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Hedge: Hedge

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Specimen, Woodland garden. 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. Although the dormant plant is 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. Closely related to C. harringtonia. 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. Special Features:Not North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: 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, August/September in a humid cold frame. Difficult.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Hedge;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Baigeiguo, Bizishu, Shuibai, Shui bai zi, Sunguo,

Synonyms

C. harringtonia sinensis. (Rehder.&Wilson.)Rehd.