Cephalotaxus harringtoniana

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Japanese Plum-Yew
• Japanese Plum-yew
• Japnese Plum-Yew
• Harrington plum-yew
• cows-tail-pine
• plum-fruit-yew
• cowtail pine
• Harrington's Plum Yew
• Japanese Plum Yew

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cephalotaxus harringtonia f. fastigiata
• Cephalotaxus harringtonia var. sinensis
• Cephalotaxus sinensis
• Cephalotaxus harringtonia lusus koraiana
• Cephalotaxus harringtonia var. koraiana
• Cephalotaxus drupacea f. fastigiata
• Cephalotaxus harringtonia var. fastigiata
• Cephalotaxus harringtonia var. drupacea
• Cephalotaxus harringtonia subsp. drupacea
• Taxus drupacea
• Cephalotaxus drupacea f. sphaeralis
• Cephalotaxus harringtonia f. sphaeralis
• Cephalotaxus pedunculata var. sphaeralis
• Cephalotaxus fortunei var. foemina
• Cephalotaxus sinensis subsp. wilsoniana
• Podocarpus koraianus
• Cephalotaxus harringtonia var. wilsoniana
• Cephalotaxus harringtonia f. drupacea
• Cephalotaxus harringtonia var. sphaeralis
• Cephalotaxus sinensis var. wilsoniana
• Cephalotaxus wilsoniana
• Cephalotaxus pedunculata
• Cephalotaxus pedunculata var. fastigiata
• Cephalotaxus drupacea var. pedunculata
• Cephalotaxus drupacea var. sinensis
• Cephalotaxus drupacea
• Cephalotaxus drupacea var. harringtonia
• Cephalotaxus buergeri
• Taxus pedunculata
• Nageia koraiana
• Taxus harringtonia

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. It falls under the subclass Pinidae and order Pinales, specifically within the family Cephalotaxaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Cephalotaxus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range that spans across different continents and diverse regions. In Europe, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Romania. Within Asia, the species is widely distributed across several distinct parts of China. Specifically, it can be found in China South-Central, China North-Central, and China Southeast. Additionally, its habitat extends to the tropical island province of Hainan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cephalotaxus harringtonia is defined by its highly specific niche requirements, particularly concerning its altitudinal distribution. This species occupies a narrow ecological belt, characterized by an elevational range that is strictly constrained to a specific altitude of 1450 m AMSL. This lack of vertical variation suggests a specialized adaptation to the precise climatic, barometric, and soil conditions found at this particular level above mean sea level. Such a localized elevational profile indicates that the plant's survival is closely tied to the unique environmental variables—such as temperature gradients, moisture availability, and atmospheric pressure—that stabilize at this exact height within its native habitat.

Elevational range max:

1450 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cephalotaxus harringtonia is characterized by a perennial growth pattern that transitions through distinct developmental stages, primarily functioning as a phanerophyte due to its woody, shrub-to-tree stature where the buds are borne on branches well above the ground level. Within its ecological niche, its structural classification can occasionally be interpreted through the lens of a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its ability to maintain relatively low-growing, compact woody forms in certain environments. The life cycle begins with the production of seeds within fleshy, often brightly colored arils, which facilitate dispersal by birds. Following germination, the plant undergoes a slow maturation process, establishing a robust root system and developing dense, dark green, leathery foliage that persists through various seasonal shifts. As a long-lived gymnosperm, it exhibits a steady growth rate, investing heavily in secondary xylem to support its perennial architecture, eventually reaching a reproductive maturity where it produces male and female cones on separate plants, adhering to a dioecious reproductive strategy.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Cephalotaxus harringtonia is characterized by a woody growth form, typically manifesting as a shrub or small tree. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite and maintains a terrestrial existence rather than an epiphytic one. While it possesses a sturdy, woody structure, it does not exhibit climbing tendencies, remaining a self-supporting plant in its natural habitat.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cephalotaxus harringtonia is characterized by a complex metabolic framework centered around its carbon fixation mechanisms and the specialized biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. As a woody gymnosperm, it utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, where atmospheric carbon dioxide is fixed into organic compounds through the Calvin cycle via the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells. This metabolic process supports the plant's growth and provides the carbon skeletons necessary for the intricate biosynthesis of taxanes and other nitrogenous alkaloids, which are vital for its medicinal properties. The plant's physiological efficiency is heavily influenced by environmental factors such as light intensity, temperature, and moisture availability, which regulate stomatal conductance and gas exchange rates. Furthermore, its physiological resilience is demonstrated through its ability to manage oxidative stress and maintain cellular homeostasis through various antioxidant enzymatic systems, ensuring survival and the continuous production of bioactive compounds under fluctuating ecological conditions.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cephalotaxus harringtonia is characterized by the production of specialized seeds that exhibit specific morphological weight profiles. Based on empirical data, the seeds of this species possess a mean mass of 0.420095 g, representing the average weight of the reproductive units. The variation in seed size is relatively narrow, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.364 g to a maximum of 0.47619 g. These measurements provide a quantitative basis for understanding the energy investment and physical characteristics of the plant's progeny during its reproductive cycle.

Seed mass max:

0.47619 g

Seed mass mean:

0.420095 g

Seed mass min:

0.364 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cephalotaxus harringtonia has 4 reported plant parts identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem, fruit, root.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products
2. Archives of pharmacal research
3. Journal of chromatography. A
4. Veterinary and human toxicology
5. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Stem

1. Biochemical and biophysical research communications
2. Journal of natural products
3. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Fruit

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Root

1. Biochemical and biophysical research communications

Chemicals

Cephalotaxus harringtonia has 99 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include TAXOL, paclitaxel, 10-Deacetylbaccatin III, Baccatin III, Brevifoliol.

TAXOL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
3. Biochemical and biophysical research communications
4. FEMS microbiology letters
5. Biocell : official journal of the Sociedades Latinoamericanas de Microscopia Electronica ... et. al

paclitaxel

1. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology
2. PloS one
3. Plant biotechnology journal
4. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR
5. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

10-Deacetylbaccatin III

1. Biological chemistry Hoppe-Seyler
2. Journal de pharmacie de Belgique
3. Biochemical and biophysical research communications
4. Journal of chromatography. A
5. Planta medica

Baccatin III

1. Nature biotechnology
2. Biochemical and biophysical research communications
3. PloS one
4. Journal of natural products

Brevifoliol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Cephalomannine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Cephalotaxine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Archives of pharmacal research

Isolariciresinol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Taxane

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
2. PloS one

Taxanes

1. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology
2. Plant biotechnology journal

Activities

Cephalotaxus harringtonia has 323 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Cytotoxic, ACE-Inhibitor, Acaricide, Adrenergic.

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmacognosy magazine
3. Journal of chromatography. A

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Adrenergic

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelopathic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Glucosidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Cephalotaxus harringtonia has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include heart failure.

Heart failure

1. Translational research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine

Preparations

Cephalotaxus harringtonia has 23 reported preparations identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves, Callus culture, Cephalotaxus harringtonia extract, Methanol extract of fruits, Methanol extract of leaves.

Leaves

1. Journal of natural products
2. Journal of chromatography. A

Callus culture

1. Biocell : official journal of the Sociedades Latinoamericanas de Microscopia Electronica ... et. al

Cephalotaxus harringtonia extract

1. Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology

Methanol extract of fruits

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Methanol extract of leaves

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Suspension cultures

1. Biocell : official journal of the Sociedades Latinoamericanas de Microscopia Electronica ... et. al

T. baccata suspension cell cultures

1. PloS one

Taxus cultures

1. Biological chemistry Hoppe-Seyler

Callus culture

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Callus cultures

1. Planta medica