Chinese Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus fortunei)

Family: Cephalotaxaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (5/5)

Cephalotaxus fortunei is an evergreen Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft 8in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from October to November.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries, Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavour that coats the mouth and refuses to go away for hours. — Fairly large, it is about 30mm x 15mm.; We have no further details, though it is closely related to C.; harringtonia, the fruit of which is edible raw if fully ripe.; The fruit does not always ripen in Britain, before full ripeness it has a disgusting resinous flavour that coats the mouth and refuses to go away for hours.

Habitat & North American Range

Woodlands, especially in limestone regions. Mixed, coniferous, and broad-leaved forests, thickets and roadsides at elevations of 200 - 3700 metres. (Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)