Cephalotaxus harringtonia

Object Details

Description
The plum yew takes its common name from its yew-like foliage and small fruits reminiscent of plums. While not a true yew, it is a good yew-like option for the south, due to its better heat resistance. Its fruits are edible.
Hardiness
-10 - 30 F
Bloom Time
June
Provenance
From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
Range
China to Korea, Central and S Japan, Taiwan
Habitat
Broad-leafed, coniferous, and mixed forests, in understory; 3-825ft (10-2700m)
Topic
Display Gardens
Living Collections
See more items in
Smithsonian Gardens Display Collection
On Display
National Museum of American History
Data Source
Smithsonian Gardens
Accession Number
2012-1386A
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Common Name
Japanese Plum Yew
Chinese Plum Yew
Harrington Plum Yew
Plum Fruit Yew
Cows-tail pine
Group
[vascular plants]
Class
Equisetopsida
Subclass
Pinidae
Order
Cupressales
Family
Taxaceae
Genus
Cephalotaxus
Species
harringtonia
Life Form
Evergreen tree
Average Height
As shrub: 5-10' (1.5-3 meters) As tree: 20-30' (6-9.1 meters)
Bloom Characteristics
Male flower is enclosed inside a bract.
Dioecious
Yes
Foliage Characteristics
Linear, spirally-arranged, yew-like, dark green leaves grow in v-shaped pattern. 1.5" (3.8 cm) long
Fruit Characteristics
Fleshy, edible, and olive or plum-like. 1" (2.5 cm) long. September.
Structure
Round
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ax7ee28600f-fa90-4e60-b488-3f3f3642e0e2
Record ID
ofeo-sg_2012-1386A
Photographed by: Hannele Lahti
Photographed by: Hannele Lahti
Photographed by: Hannele Lahti
Photographed by: Hannele Lahti
Photographed by: Hannele Lahti
Photographed by: Hannele Lahti
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