Chinese Yew

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese Yew

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Taxus wallichiana var. chinensis
• Taxus sumatrana subsp. chinensis
• Taxus baccata var. sinensis
• Taxus baccata var. chinensis
• Taxus cuspidata var. chinensis
• Taxus chinensis f. baokangsis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Pinidae and order Pinales, it is a member of the Taxaceae family. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Taxus as the species Taxus chinensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Taxus chinensis, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across various regions of China. It can be found growing within the landscapes of China South-Central. Additionally, the species is present in the territories of China North-Central. Its natural range also extends into the areas of China Southeast. Consequently, these three distinct regions define the primary geographical presence of this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Taxus chinensis is characterized by its preference for high-altitude montane environments, where it occupies a specialized niche within temperate forest ecosystems. This species is primarily distributed across specific altitudinal belts, thriving within an elevational range that begins at 2000 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 3000 m AMSL. Within this vertical zone, the plant is adapted to the unique microclimates provided by mountain slopes, often favoring shaded, moist, and well-drained soils typical of subalpine or montane coniferous and mixed forests. Its presence in these high-elevation habitats dictates its physiological adaptations to cooler temperatures and shorter growing seasons, making it a vital component of the high-altitude biodiversity found in its native range.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Taxus chinensis is characterized by a perennial growth strategy, specifically categorized under the life forms of phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches above the soil surface, protecting its buds through seasonal changes. Its development typically begins with seed germination in shaded, moist forest understories, progressing through a slow growth phase typical of long-lived gymnosperms. Throughout its life cycle, it functions as a robust woody perennial, utilizing its structural height to compete for light within its ecological niche. The transition between its nanophanerophytic and phanerophytic states reflects its capacity to maintain perennial woody structures that persist through various environmental conditions, ensuring long-term survival and reproductive stability within its habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Taxus chinensis is characterized by its structural growth habit as a woody perennial, exhibiting a robust and permanent lignified framework. Unlike climbing species, it functions as a self-supporting plant, maintaining its upright stature through its own structural integrity rather than relying on external supports. It is an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, and instead maintains a strictly terrestrial existence, rooting firmly in the soil to establish its lifecycle.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Taxus chinensis is characterized by a slow growth rate and a highly efficient structural composition designed for long-term survival in temperate environments. A critical physiological indicator of its structural integrity and wood density is its stem specific density (SSD), which maintains a measured SSD_mean of 761 mg/cm³. This relatively high density reflects a dense arrangement of tracheids and cellular structures within the xylem, contributing to the plant's ability to withstand mechanical stresses and manage hydraulic conductivity under varying environmental conditions. The metabolic processes of the plant are closely tied to this structural density, as the investment in carbon-rich, dense tissues supports its perennial nature and slow developmental pace. Additionally, the plant's physiological resilience is supported by its specialized secondary metabolites, which are integrated into its complex tissue matrix, facilitating both chemical defense and structural stability.

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

761 mg/cm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Taxus chinensis has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed, stem.

Leaf

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. BMC plant biology
3. Journal of natural products

Seed

1. Drug development and industrial pharmacy

Stem

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Taxus chinensis has 52 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include TAXOL, paclitaxel, Baccatin III, Cephalomannine, Ginkgetin.

TAXOL

1. Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology
2. Stem cells (Dayton, Ohio)
3. Frontiers in plant science
4. Biotechnology progress
5. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

paclitaxel

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Frontiers in plant science
3. Journal of separation science
4. BMC plant biology
5. Phytochemistry

Baccatin III

1. Journal of separation science
2. Biotechnology progress
3. BMC plant biology
4. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Cephalomannine

1. Journal of separation science
2. BMC plant biology

Ginkgetin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Frontiers in chemistry

RUTIN

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Frontiers in chemistry

Taxane

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Terpenoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

10-Deacetyl baccatin III

1. Frontiers in chemistry

10-Deacetyl taxinine B

1. Phytochemistry

Activities

Taxus chinensis has 1 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer.

Anticancer

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. BMC plant biology

Medicinal Uses

Taxus chinensis has 13 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, Triple-negative breast cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, heart.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations