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Summary
Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded, Spreading or horizontal.
Physical Characteristics
Cephalotaxus harringtonia drupacea is an evergreen Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
C. drupacea. C. harringtonia 'Fastigiata'
Habitats
Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Hedge;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit Oil Oil Seed
Edible Uses: Oil Oil
Fruit. - raw or cooked[177]. The fruit closely resembles a plum in its structure, the flesh is thick, juicy and very sweet with a hint of pine in its flavour[2, 183]. The fruit is about 2 - 3cm long[200]. The fruit does not always ripen in Britain, before full ripeness it has a disgusting resinous flavour that coats the mouth and refuses to go away for hours[K]. Seed - raw or cooked[81, 105]. Oily[1]. The seed has a firm texture and a slightly resinous flavour[K].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
None known
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Hedge Hedge Oil Oil
An oil obtained from the seed is used as an illuminant[105]. Very tolerant of pruning, this plant makes a very good hedge in shady positions[200].
Special Uses
Hedge Hedge
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Landscape Uses:Border, Foundation, Hedge, Massing, Screen, Woodland garden. Prefers a moist well-drained sandy soil but succeeds in most soils though it dislikes dry gravelly or chalky soils[1, 200]. Prefers a position in semi-shade but tolerates full shade[11, 81] and it also succeeds but does not usually thrive in full sun[200]. It grows very well in the mild wet coastal region of W. Scotland where it succeeds even in full sun[200]. Requires a humid sheltered site[200], strongly disliking very exposed positions[1]. Although the dormant plant is very cold-hardy, the young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. The Japanese plum yew is a very slow growing tree[185] with an excellent potential as a food crop in Britain. This subspecies is growing very well in the shade of other conifers at Kew botanical gardens, where it fruits regularly and heavily. Both the fruit and the seed are edible, these are often eaten in Japan. In addition, the seeds seem to be immune to the predations of squirrels. The seed on trees growing at Kew Botanical gardens are untouched even though virtually every other nut tree there has its crop destroyed[K]. Plants are dioecious, but female plants sometimes produce fruits and infertile seeds in the absence of any male plants[11]. However, at least one male plant for every five females should be grown if you are growing the plants for fruit and seed. Plants have also been known to change sex[81]. Male cones are produced in the axils of the previous year's leaves, whilst female cones are borne at the base of branchlets[200]. There has been some confusion in the naming of this plant. Some botanists have separated it off as a separate species, C. drupacea, though most nowadays include it as a subspecies of C. harringtonia, differing from the species in its shortly pedunculate male catkins[81]. In cultivation it is often known as the variety 'Fastigiata'[81]. Special Features:Not North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
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Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[113], it should then germinate in the following spring[K]. A hard seedcoat can delay germination, especially in if the seed is not sown as soon as it is ripe[81, K]. Stored seed should be cold-stratified and sown in a cold frame in the spring[200]. Germination can take 18 months or more. Prick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on for at least their first winter under cover. Plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Greenwood cuttings of terminal shoots, August/September in a humid cold frame[1, 200]. Difficult[113].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Inu-gaya,
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Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Asia, Australia, Britain, China, Japan, Tasmania,
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(Siebold.&Zucc.)Koidz.
Botanical References
11109200
Links / References
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