Chinese Plum-yew

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese Plum-yew
• Fortune's Yew Plum
• Fortune's plum-yew
• Chinese cowtail pine

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cephalotaxus robusta
• Cephalotaxus fortunei var. pendula
• Cephalotaxus fortunei var. concolor
• Cephalotaxus kaempferi
• Taxus fortunei

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Pinidae and order Pinales, it is a member of the family Cephalotaxaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Cephalotaxus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions in East and Southeast Asia. Within China, it can be found spanning the South-Central territories. Its range also extends into the North-Central parts of the country. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed throughout China Southeast. Finally, its geographical reach includes the Indo-China region, specifically within Myanmar.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cephalotaxus fortunei is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a growth form where the perennating buds are located on aerial branches well above the ground. Within this categorization, it exhibits specific life form variations including nanophanerophyte and phanerophyte traits, reflecting its nature as a long-lived, woody evergreen shrub or small tree. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its reproductive potential through permanent woody structures that persist through seasonal changes, distinguishing it from shorter-lived forms like chamaephytes, hemicryptophytes, or therophytes. Its life cycle is defined by a slow developmental pace typical of many gymnosperms, utilizing its elevated buds to navigate environmental stressors and ensure continuous structural development throughout its perennial lifespan.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Cephalotaxus fortunei is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub or small tree. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial existence. While its structural development is primarily that of a woody shrub, its habit can exhibit self-supporting climbing tendencies in certain environments, though it remains fundamentally characterized by its robust, non-climbing vegetative architecture.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cephalotaxus fortunei is characterized by its structural robustness and specific metabolic adaptations inherent to its woody growth habit. A critical component of its physical constitution is its stem-specific density (SSD), which serves as an indicator of its structural integrity and resource allocation strategies. The plant exhibits an SSD_mean of 629 mg/cm³, a value that reflects the density of the lignified tissues within the stem, influencing both its mechanical strength and its hydraulic conductance efficiency. This density profile is essential for maintaining the plant's upright architecture and facilitating the efficient transport of water and nutrients through the vascular system, while also contributing to the overall resilience of the organism against environmental stressors.

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

629 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cephalotaxus fortunei is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit highly consistent physical properties across observed samples. Based on empirical data, the seed mass displays no variance, with a mean, maximum, and minimum value all recorded at 0.45455 g. This uniform seed mass suggests a stabilized reproductive output regarding individual seed weight within the studied population. The developmental process culminates in the dispersal of these seeds, which maintain a precise weight of approximately 0.45455 g, playing a critical role in the plant's lifecycle and its ability to establish new growth in its natural habitat.

Seed mass mean:

0.45455 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cephalotaxus fortunei has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Cephalotaxus fortunei has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 11-Hydroxycephalotaxine, 3-Epiwilsonine, 4-Hydroxycephalotaxine, Cephalofortuneine, Cephalotaxine.

11-Hydroxycephalotaxine

1. Dr. Duke

3-Epiwilsonine

1. Dr. Duke

4-Hydroxycephalotaxine

1. Dr. Duke

Cephalofortuneine

1. Dr. Duke

Cephalotaxine

1. Dr. Duke

Cephalotaxine alpha-N-oxide

1. Journal of natural products

Desmethylcephalotaxinone

1. Dr. Duke

Hainanensine

1. Dr. Duke

Hainanolide

1. Dr. Duke

Isocephalotaxine

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Cephalotaxus fortunei has 19 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Anticarcinomic, Antiencephalitic, Antiflu, Antileukemic.

Anticancer

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiencephalitic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke

Antimelanomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antisarcomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke

Antitumor (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Cephalotaxus fortunei has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations