Cephalotaxus harringtonia
Cephalotaxus harringtoniana
Cephalotaxus harringtonia, commonly known as Harrington's Yew, is a significant medicinal plant valued for its complex alkaloids. It serves as a vital precursor in the synthesis of vinca alkaloids, such as vincristine and vinblastine. These compounds are essential in modern oncology for treating various types of cancer worldwide.
- Scientific name: Cephalotaxus harringtonia
- Family: Cephalotaxaceae
- Native range: Europe
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.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Pinidae | WCVP |
| Order | Pinales | WCVP |
| Family | Cephalotaxaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cephalotaxus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Cephalotaxus harringtonia, is referred to by various common names depending on the language. In Hungarian, it is called Mandzsu áltiszafa, while in Danish, it is known as Japansk Blommetaks. German speakers refer to it as Japanische Kopfeibe, and in Polish, it is called Głowocis japoński. Additionally, in Portuguese, the name used is Cephalotaxus harringtonii.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| hu | Mandzsu áltiszafa | Wikidata |
| da | Japansk Blommetaks | Wikidata |
| de | Japanische Kopfeibe | Wikidata |
| pl | Głowocis japoński | Wikidata |
| pt | Cephalotaxus harringtonii | Wikidata |
| nb | Druebarlind | Wikidata |
| zh | 日本粗榧 | Wikidata |
| war | Cephalotaxus harringtonii | Wikidata |
| sv | Cephalotaxus harringtonii | Wikidata |
| ceb | Cephalotaxus harringtonii | Wikidata |
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.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Europe | Romania | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Northeastern U.S.A. | New York | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Cephalotaxus harringtonia, is characterized by several distinct morphological features used in various botanical contexts. The foliage is composed of specialized needles that are arranged spirally along the stem, giving the plant a dense, evergreen appearance. These green leaves are long and slender, serving as the primary site for photosynthesis. Structurally, the plant features a sturdy stem that supports its growth, while the stem bark protects the inner vascular tissues. Deep within the plant's structure lies the heartwood, which provides essential mechanical strength and stability to the organism.- Total parts
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 16
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| needles | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| heartwood | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inner bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cambium of stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cephalotaxus harringtonia has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include harringtonine, homoharringtonine.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| harringtonine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| homoharringtonine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cephalotaxus harringtonia has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cephalotaxus harringtonia has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include heart failure.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| heart failure | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |