Yunnan Plum Yew
Cephalotaxus lanceolata
Family: Cephalotaxaceae
What it is like
Cephalotaxus lanceolata is an evergreen Shrub growing to 8 m (26ft 3in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is 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) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 8
Where it is found
An understorey shrub in woodlands. Scattered in broad-leaved forests at elevations around 1900 metres.
E. Asia - China - N.W. Yunnan.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Myanmar
How it is used
Food
Rating: 4
We have no details for this species but it is closely related to C. fortunei and so it is quite likely to have edible seed and fruit. The fruit is up to 4.5cm long and 2cm wide. It is certainly worthy of more research. 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: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 2
Very tolerant of pruning, this plant makes a very good hedge in shady positions.
Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.
Hedge: Hedge
How it is grown
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. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. 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. This plant has become very rare in its native range and is designated an endangered species. 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.
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: 7-10
Growth: Slow
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Yunnan Plum, Yunnan Plum Yew, Plum Yew