Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Japanese Plum-yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia)

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Japanese Plum-yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia)

Plum-yew is an evergreen shrub from Japan that occasionally escapes to suburban woods. In its native land it can become a sprawling tree up to 30 feet high. In North Carolina it is usually a low shrub found in the understory of deciduous forests.

Battle Park, Chapel Hill, NC 4/10/10.

Japanese Plum-yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia)

The leaves are similar to those of Taxus (yew) and Torreya. The cones (not pictured) are plum-like.

Also compare with China-fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata), a tree that rarely escapes from cultivation.

Chapel Hill, NC 4/10/10.

Japanese Plum-yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia)

Chapel Hill, NC 4/10/10.

More information:
Floridata
Gymnosperm Database

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