The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: dwarf Japanese plum-yew

Family: Taxaceae (yew family)

Synonym: Cephalotaxus nana

Distribution: Japan

Hardiness: USDA Zone 5

Life form: Evergreen shrub

Comments: This evergreen conifer shrub is a wild form inhabiting the cliffs and mountains of Honshu and Hokkaido, Japan, where it forms a compact plant (more compact than the species) to 4' high and suckering variably. Foliage consists of glossy dark green needles somewhat two ranked and shorter than the species and finer textured, 2". Holds excellent winter color and possesses good drought and shade tolerance. Cones on female plants ripen to form a purple plum-like fruit to ¾" wide. A good, hardy substitute for the common yew, combining shade and drought tolerance of the latter but unique for its resistance to deer browse.