Gongshan plum yew (Cephalotaxus lanceolata)

Silhouette: LeonardoG (photography) and T. Michael Keesey (vectorization) / License

Cephalotaxus lanceolata: Gongshan Plum Yew Taxonomy and Morphology

Native to the borderlands between southern China and northern Myanmar, Cephalotaxus lanceolata remains one of the rarest coniferous species in the world.

This evergreen tree thrives primarily in broad-leaved forests, navigating altitudes between 1,450 and 1,970 meters.

Taxonomy

Morphology

This coniferous species typically grows as an evergreen tree reaching heights of up to 20 meters, with a trunk diameter of approximately 40 centimeters.

Its smooth bark displays a distinct purple-red hue, which strips off in thin layers. The drooping branches support linear-lanceolate needles that measure 4.5 to 10 centimeters in length and 4 to 7 millimeters in width, representing some of the longest needles within the genus.

The female cones develop on stalks measuring 1.5 to 2 centimeters and are surrounded by an aril that ripens to a greenish-brown color between September and November. The obovoid-ellipsoid seeds reach lengths of 3.5 to 4.5 centimeters.

Applications

Historically, the durable wood of this species was harvested locally for timber, construction, and firewood.

Some traditional regional practices suggest that parts of the plant may possess medicinal properties due to the presence of specific alkaloids.

Interesting facts

The wild population of this rare conifer in China is estimated to consist of fewer than 6,800 individuals, with mature specimens accounting for less than 2,500 trees.

To prevent the species from sliding into extinction, the Chinese government has enforced a strict logging ban on all wild populations.

Geography of distribution

  • China
  • Myanmar

Sources

  • Plants of the World Online (POWO)
  • World Flora Online (WFO)
  • IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
  • Flora of China

Technical Information

External Databases: GBIF, POWO, Tropicos