Japanese yew

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Japanese Yew

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Taxus baccata var. cuspidata
• Taxus baccata subsp. cuspidata

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 and subclass Pinidae, it is categorized under the order Pinales and the family Taxaceae. It is further classified under the genus Taxus, specifically identified as the species Taxus cuspidata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical range across several distinct regions of Northeast Asia. In Eastern Europe, its presence can be found specifically within the Baltic States. The species is also well-established in the Russian Far East, spanning the Kuril Islands, Sakhalin, and the Primorye region. Furthermore, its distribution extends into the Manchuria region of China. Together, these locations define the primary natural habitats for Taxus cuspidata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Taxus cuspidata is fundamentally defined by its preference for stable, shaded environments within forest and mountain ecosystems. Typically found inhabiting temperate montane forests, this species thrives in areas characterized by well-drained, moist, and slightly acidic soils, often occurring in the understory where it can benefit from the buffered microclimates provided by a dense canopy. Its distribution is closely tied to mountainous terrains where high humidity and moderate temperatures are maintained, allowing it to occupy niches ranging from deep valley floors to mid-elevation slopes. As a slow-growing evergreen, it demonstrates a high degree of shade tolerance, enabling it to persist in the low-light conditions typical of mature forest floors. The plant's presence is often indicative of late-successional forest stages, where its ability to endure competition and integrate into complex woodland structures contributes to the overall biodiversity of its mountainous habitat.

Habitat :

forest, mountains

Life history

The life history of Taxus cuspidata is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it survives for many years throughout its biological existence. In terms of its structural growth and ecological strategy, the plant is classified as a phanerophyte, as it maintains its reproductive shoots well above the ground level. Additionally, it can be described as a nanophanerophyte, reflecting a growth form where the woody stems are relatively short but still elevated above the soil surface.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Taxus cuspidata is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or vine. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies and grows as an independent organism without parasitic requirements. In terms of physical stature, the plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 12 m, with a mean plant height of around 15 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Taxus cuspata is characterized by specific metabolic and structural adaptations that support its growth in temperate environments. As a plant utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway, it fixes carbon dioxide primarily through the Calvin cycle, which is efficient under moderate light and temperature conditions but requires careful regulation of stomatal conductance to balance gas exchange with transpiration. Structurally, the plant exhibits a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 550 mg/cm³, reflecting a moderate level of wood density that provides the necessary mechanical support and vascular integrity for its growth habit. These physiological traits collectively dictate the plant's resource allocation strategies and its ability to maintain metabolic stability within its ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

550 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Taxus cuspata is characterized by a specific phenological cycle and specialized seed dispersal mechanisms. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in July. Following fertilization, the plant produces fleshy fruits, which facilitates a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to distribute the seeds. The seeds themselves exhibit specific morphological dimensions, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.0543683335 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.03471 g to a maximum of 0.0625 g. In terms of volume, the seeds vary significantly, with a minimum volume of 16 mm³, a maximum volume of 51 mm³, and a mean seed volume of 33.5 mm³.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass max:

0.0625 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0543683335 g

Seed mass min:

0.03471 g

Seed volume max:

51 mm³

Seed volume mean:

33.5 mm³

Seed volume min:

16 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Taxus cuspidata has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed.

Leaf

1. Planta medica
2. ACS omega

Seed

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Taxus cuspidata has 45 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include TAXOL, paclitaxel, Baccatin III, Taxanes, BETA-SITOSTEROL.

TAXOL

1. Planta medica
2. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
3. Journal of biochemistry and molecular biology
4. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
5. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics

paclitaxel

1. Acta astronautica
2. Journal of separation science
3. Journal of natural products
4. The Journal of organic chemistry

Baccatin III

1. Acta astronautica
2. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
3. Journal of separation science

Taxanes

1. Acta astronautica
2. Planta medica
3. ACS omega

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Baccatin VI

1. Biotechnology and bioengineering
2. Journal of natural products

Cephalomannine

1. Journal of separation science
2. Journal of natural products

Taxinine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Taxoids

1. Biotechnology and bioengineering
2. Journal of natural products

Taxusin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Journal of natural products

Activities

Taxus cuspidata has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, MDR-Inhibitor.

Anticancer

1. BMC plant biology

MDR-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Taxus cuspidata has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include multidrug resistance, tumors.

Multidrug resistance

1. Molecular pharmacology

Tumors

1. Molecular pharmacology

Preparations

Taxus cuspidata has 27 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include needles, Cell suspension cultures, suspension cultures, MeOH extract, bark.

Needles

1. Planta medica
2. Natural product research
3. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
4. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry

Cell suspension cultures

1. Biotechnology and bioengineering
2. Acta astronautica

Suspension cultures

1. Biotechnology progress
2. Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology

Meoh extract

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Bark

1. Planta medica

Bark extracts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Butanol fraction

1. Journal of food science

Callus culture

1. Journal of natural products

Callus culture incubated under light irradiation

1. Journal of natural products

Callus culture on the medium with 10 mmol/l beta-cyclodextrin and 1.0 mg/l naa

1. Journal of natural products