Japanese Plum Yew

Japanese Plum Yew is a coniferous shrub or small tree native to Japan, Korea and parts of eastern China, belonging to the small family Cephalotaxaceae rather than the true yew family. It has long, dark green, needle like leaves arranged in two flattened ranks similar in appearance to a true yew, but the plum like, fleshy seed coverings that give the plant its common name distinguish it from Taxus. The species is notably shade and deer tolerant compared to many other conifers, which has made it a popular ornamental shrub in gardens outside its native range, including in the southeastern United States. Compounds isolated from Cephalotaxus species, known as cephalotaxine alkaloids, have been studied for pharmacological activity, including as a source of the anticancer agent homoharringtonine.