Cephalotaxus hainanensis

Cephalotaxus hainanensis is a species of conifer known by the common name Hainan plum-yew. It is endemic to the island of Hainan in southern China.[1] It is possibly a synonym of Cephalotaxus mannii.[2]

Cephalotaxus hainanensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Family: Taxaceae
Genus: Cephalotaxus
Species:
C. hainanensis
Binomial name
Cephalotaxus hainanensis

This species grows in warmer temperate and subtropical rainforest habitat. When mature it is a tree 10 to 20 meters tall. It is sometimes a dominant species in the local ecosystem.[1]

C. hainanensis is suggested to have antileukemia activity, and is widely used as an herbal remedy in China.[3] Exploitation of the bark and leaves is a potential threat to this species.[1] Logging has historically been a cause of its decline, but as logging is no longer allowed on Hainan,[1] much of the pressure is currently from illegal harvesting for Chinese remedies.

References
  1. Yang, Y. & Liao, W. 2013. Cephalotaxus hainanensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.2. Downloaded on 01 September 2015.
  2. Tripp, Kim E. (1995). "Cephalotaxus: the plum yews" (PDF). Arnoldia. 55 (1): 25–39.
  3. Han, R. (1994). "Highlight on the studies of anticancer drugs derived from plants in China". Stem Cells. 12 (1): 53–63. doi:10.1002/stem.5530120110. PMID 8142920.
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