Japanese Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia nana)

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

Cephalotaxus harringtonia nana is an evergreen Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) 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 with a hint of pine in its flavour. — Plum-like and very sweet with a hint of pine in its flavour.; The fruit is about 2cm long.; This sub-species is said to produce the best fruit.; 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

An understorey shrub in woodlands. In deciduous forests from near sea level to elevations of 600 metres. (Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)