Cephalotaxus
Cephalotaxus, commonly known as plum yew, is a genus of coniferous evergreen trees prized for their ornamental beauty and medicinal potential. Beyond their landscape value, these plants are significant biochemical sources, containing unique alkaloids that have garnered extensive scientific interest for their potential therapeutic properties in modern pharmacology.
- Scientific name: Cephalotaxus
- Family: Cephalotaxaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Pinidae and the order Pinales, it is further categorized into the family Cephalotaxaceae. Ultimately, the medicinal species is identified 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, belonging to the genus Cephalotaxus, is known by various names depending on the region and language. In Chinese, it is referred to as 三尖杉属 (zh-hans), 三尖杉屬 (zh-hant), or 三尖杉屬 (zh-hk), while in Polish, it is called Głowocis, and in Korean, it is known as 개비자나무속.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 三尖杉属 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 三尖杉屬 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 三尖杉屬 | Wikidata |
| pl | Głowocis | Wikidata |
| ko | 개비자나무속 | Wikidata |
| hu | áltiszafa | Wikidata |
| de | Kopfeiben | Wikidata |
| az | Başcıqlı qaraçöhrə | Wikidata |
| da | Blommetaks | Wikidata |
| hsb | Hłowoćis | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across multiple significant regions. In Europe, its presence is noted specifically within Romania. The genus shows a widespread distribution throughout China, covering the North-Central areas. Furthermore, it can be found thriving in the Southeast and South-Central portions of the country. Finally, 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 |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Cephalotaxus, is primarily recognized for its medicinal potential, which is often derived from various tissues throughout its structure. While many studies focus on the alkaloids found in the seeds, leaves, and bark, research also extends to the metabolic activity occurring within the subterranean systems. Specifically, the physiological processes and chemical compositions of the growing root tips are of significant interest to scientists studying the plant's developmental biology and its ability to synthesize complex therapeutic compounds.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| growing root tips | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cephalotaxus has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include homoharringtonine, cephalotaxine, cephalotaxinone, flavonoids, harringtonine.
- Total chemicals
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| homoharringtonine | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cephalotaxine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cephalotaxinone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| harringtonine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lignans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cephalotaxus has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cephalotaxus has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include acute myelogenous leukemia, ascariasis, bruises, cancer, chronic myeloid leukemia.
- Total uses
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| acute myelogenous leukemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ascariasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bruises | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chronic myeloid leukemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatism | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| scrofula | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |