# Plum-Yews (*cephalotaxus*)

Plum-Yews are evergreen plants with beautiful, needle-like leaves. They can produce small, plum-like fruits that are fun to spot in nature!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Plum-Yews are found in forests and gardens, often in shady areas.
- **Also known as:** Cephalotaxus, Plum Yew, Yew Plum

![Plum-Yews](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cephalotaxus_harringtonia_BotGardBln1105WithSeeds.JPG&width=800)

Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cephalotaxus_harringtonia_BotGardBln1105WithSeeds.JPG)

## Appearance

The Plum-Yews has dark green, flattened, needle-like leaves resembling those of a yew, arranged in a distinct V-shape. Its unique 'fruits' are fleshy, olive-green to purple cones, giving it a distinctive plum-like appearance and soft texture.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Streptophyta
- **Class:** Pinopsida
- **Order:** Cupressales
- **Family:** Taxaceae
- **Genus:** Cephalotaxus

## Interesting facts

- Plum-Yews are not true yews, but belong to their very own plant family!
- Scientists are studying compounds from Plum-Yews for possible use in new medicines.
- Some ancient Plum-Yew species have existed for millions of years on Earth!
- Their 'fruits' are actually fleshy cones, which attract birds to help spread seeds.

## Special abilities

- **Shade Dweller:** Plum-Yews can grow well in low light, letting them thrive in the shady understory of forests where other plants struggle.
- **Toxic Defense:** Plum-Yews produce toxic compounds in their seeds that help protect them from being eaten by hungry animals.
- **Evergreen Power:** Its tough, evergreen needles allow Plum-Yews to make food all year round, even during the cold winter months.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 150-600 cm
- **Spread:** 100-400 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Spring
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Moderate
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Wind

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** Pale Thrush (*Turdus pallidus*) — Disperses seeds after consuming the fleshy arils.
- **Eaten by:** Japanese Waxwing (*Bombycilla japonica*) — Feeds on the fleshy seed coverings, aiding seed dispersal.
- **Shelter:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Nests and hides within its dense evergreen branches.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before touching any plants.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Plum-Yews?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Plum-Yews?

150-600 cm

### How wide does Plum-Yews spread?

100-400 cm

### When does Plum-Yews bloom?

Spring

### Is Plum-Yews edible?

No

### Is Plum-Yews toxic?

Moderate

### What is Plum-Yews's lifecycle?

Perennial

### How is Plum-Yews pollinated?

Wind

## Where to spot

- [The Green](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/the-green) — Delaware, US · Park

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

---

Source: [Plum-Yews: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/plum-yews)