Conifer Database - hainanensis

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Established in 1983, our mission is centered on advocating for the integration of conifer trees in garden designs and landscapes. We are dedicated to educating enthusiasts and the general public about the proper care, cultivation, and conservation of these majestic and diverse evergreens.

    

Cephalotaxus hainanensis

Cephalotaxus hainanensis, as described in 1953 by Hui Lin Li in Lloydia, 16th edition, is commonly known as Hainan plum-yew. The species name recognizes this conifer as endemic to China's Hainan Island. C. hainanensis has anti-leukemia properties and is widely used in China. Exploitation of the bark and leaves as well as logging are a potential threat to this species that is widespread on Hainan.

Description. Hainan plum-yew is an evergreen coniferous species of tree that grows to mature heights of 33 to 60 feet (10 - 18 m) tall with a broad, oval crown. Many of the metric are virtually the same as C. mannii with the following exceptions:

  • Leafy branchlets are somewhat shorter in C. hainanensis, measuring 3.2 to 4 inches (8 - 10 cm) long and 1.8 to 2.2 inches (4.5 - 5.5 cm) in outline compared with 4.4 to 7.6 inches (11 - 19 cm) long and 2.4 to 3.2 inches (6 - 8 cm) broad in C. mannii.
  • Leaves are different, held at 70 to 80° angles to branchlet axis (45 - 70° in C. mannii), are are parallel sided throughout (not tapered). Stomatal bands are narrower in C. hainanensis, measuring 0.028 to 0.052 inch (0.7 - 1.3 mm) wide, as compared with 0.048 to 0.072 inch (1.2 - 1.6 mm) in C. mannii, and are 2.5 to 4 times as wide as midveins (6 to 8 times in C. mannii). Needle apices are abruptly and very shortly mucronate (not cuspidate).
Distribution. This species is native to China: Hainan Island, perhaps also Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, although those plants are here assigned to C. mannii, in accordance with a study done in 1999 by Fu Liguo (Š‚…ç«‹Š›½), Li Nan (李楠), and Robert R. Mill in Sections on Cephalotaxaceae, Ginkgoaceae and Pinaceae.

Hardy to USDA Zone 9 - cold hardiness limit between 20° and 30°F (-6.6° and -1.1°C).


Fu Liguo (Š‚…ç«‹Š›½), Li Nan (李楠), and Robert R. Mill. 1999. Sections on Cephalotaxaceae, Ginkgoaceae and Pinaceae. In Wu Zheng-yi and Peter H. Raven (eds.). Flora of China, Volume 4. Beijing: Science Press; St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden.


Cephalotaxus hainanensis

Cephalotaxus hainanensis

Cephalotaxus hainanensis

Cephalotaxus hainanensis



HORTICULTURAL STATUS:RHS Registered
COLOR:Dark Green
GROWTH SHAPE:Broad Upright or Oval
GROWTH SIZE:Intermediate: 6 to 12 inches (15 – 30 cm) per year / 5 to 10 feet (1.5 – 3 m) after 10 years
ORIGIN:(unknown)


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