Japanese Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia)

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

Cephalotaxus harringtonia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft) by 3 m (9ft) 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

sweet fruit - see cultivation details for more information. — About 2 - 3cm long.; The fruit of this plant is said to be astringent and inedible even when fully ripe.; However, several of its sub-species produce a very nice sweet fruit - see cultivation details for more information.; Seed - raw or cooked.

Habitat & North American Range

An understorey shrub in woodlands. In temperate deciduous forests at elevations of 600 - 1000 metres. (Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)