Japanese plum-yew is an evergreen, needled shrub or small tree in the yew family (Taxaceae) and native to Asia. Its name is derived from the Greek words kephale and taxus meaning "head" and "yew" respectively, in reference to the hard, round seeds. The specific epithet harringtonia was given in recognition of the Earl of Harrington who became an early adopter and enthusiast of the species in the early 19th century. Ideal for the southeastern United States, as it tolerates both the summer heat and humidity unlike other yews, it has a broad, shrubby habit with horizontal branches but can also be trained into a small tree. This plant prefers moist, well-drained soil but tolerates dry, sandy, or clay soil. Plant it in full sun if you have cool summers; otherwise, it needs partial shade and tolerates shade better than most other needled evergreens. Once established this plant is drought and heat-tolerant and deer resistant. Its texture is medium to fine, and this yew is normally wider than tall, reaching a height of 5 to 10 feet tall and about as wide. This plant is a conifer. The species is dioecious plant, female plants require at least one male plant to produce seeds. It produces single, naked seeds that have a fleshy coat and that are similar in appearance to plums, Although plum-like in appearance, the seeds are not edible. The seeds and foliage of all of the plants in this botanical group are generally quite poisonous if ingested but are not dangerous to handle. See this site for further information: JC Raulston Arboretum Japanese plum-yew works well in a woodland or shade garden as an accent or planted in mass along a border. It makes an interesting change in the landscape from the typical junipers. Quick ID Hints: Gymnosperm, linear leaves Two white, glaucous bands on underside Juvenile growth has leaves spirally arranged Adult growth has a V-shaped leaf pattern on branch Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Native alternativesJuniperus communis var. depressaTaxus canadensis
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Shrub; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry | Very Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains
Mature size
Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in. | Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 14 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Fronds
Leaf arrangement
Other/more complex; Whorled
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
< 1 inch long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
0.5-1.2 in. feather-like needles, dark green leaves, linear with a sharp taper, spirally arranged in a v-shaped pattern. Lustrous underneath, holds color well in winter unless exposed to full sun and wind. Linear, spirally arranged (juvenile) to 2-ranked (adult) forming a V-shaped along branch, lower surface with 2 whitish glaucous bands.
Fall color
Cream/Tan
Flower detail
Non-showy yellow pollen sacs enclosed in a cone on male plants. Female plants bear naked seeds.
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Olive-like, red fleshy seeds. They appear on female plants resembling small (up to 1") plums, a fleshy aril nearly surrounding the green seed. Male cones are clustered on last season's branches, globular.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Assam, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast
Wildlife value
This plant is particularly resistant to damage by deer.
Food & Medicine
Edibility
Not edible. Potentially toxic.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Woodland
Landscape theme
Shade Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Mass Planting; Shade Tree; Small Tree
All plants in this botanical group are quite poisonous if ingested but are not dangerous to handle. Nervousness, trembling, slow pulse, pupil dilation, difficult breathing, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, convulsions; seizures, sudden death from acute heart failure if eaten in quantity.
Toxic principle
Alkaloid taxine, Volatile oil
Contact dermatitis
Yes
Toxicity summary
Medium severity poison; parts: Bark; Leaves; Seeds; contact dermatitis