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plum-yew

Cephalotaxus · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (22 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Plum-yew, scientifically known as Cephalotaxus, is an ancient evergreen conifer prized for its ornamental beauty and medicinal potential. Beyond its lush, needle-like foliage, certain species are significant sources of taxanes, complex alkaloids used in advanced cancer therapies. This versatile plant remains a vital subject in both botany and pharmacology.

Family
Cephalotaxaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Root
Common names
Plum-Yew · Plum-Yews
Scientific synonyms
Not available

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Cephalotaxus

Regional and Traditional Names

German:

  • Kopfeiben
  • Pflaumeneiben
  • Cephalotaxaceae
  • Kopfeibengewächse
  • Kopfeiben
  • Pflaumeneiben

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Pinidae
Order Pinales
Family Cephalotaxaceae
Genus Cephalotaxus

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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
Southeastern Europe Romania
China China South-Central
China Hainan
China China North-Central
China China Southeast
China Tibet
Eastern Asia Japan
Eastern Asia Korea
Eastern Asia Taiwan
Indian Subcontinent Assam

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Plant Parts

Cephalotaxus 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 root.

Plant parts reported in Cephalotaxus
Plant part Supporting sources Consensus
Root 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Root

  1. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology

Chemicals

Cephalotaxus has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include homoharringtonine, Cephalotaxine, Cephalotaxinone, Flavonoids, Lignans.

Chemicals reported in Cephalotaxus
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
homoharringtonine 3 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
Cephalotaxine 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Cephalotaxinone 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Flavonoids 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Lignans 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
harringtonine 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

homoharringtonine

  1. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
  2. Journal of clinical pharmacology
  3. PloS one

Cephalotaxine

  1. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology

Cephalotaxinone

  1. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology

Flavonoids

  1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Lignans

  1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

harringtonine

  1. PloS one

Activities

Cephalotaxus has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant.

Activities reported in Cephalotaxus
Activity Supporting sources Consensus
Anticancer 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Anticancer

  1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Antioxidant

  1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Conditions

Cephalotaxus has 9 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include acute myelogenous leukemia, ascariasis, bruises, cancer, chronic myeloid leukemia.

Conditions investigated for Cephalotaxus
Condition Supporting sources Consensus
Acute myelogenous leukemia 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Ascariasis 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Bruises 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Cancer 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Chronic myeloid leukemia 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Cough 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Pain 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Rheumatism 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Scrofula 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Acute myelogenous leukemia

  1. Journal of clinical pharmacology

Ascariasis

  1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Bruises

  1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Cancer

  1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Chronic myeloid leukemia

  1. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology

Cough

  1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Pain

  1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Rheumatism

  1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Scrofula

  1. Chinese journal of natural medicines