Taxus celebica

Taxus celebica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnospermae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Cupressales
Family: Taxaceae
Genus: Taxus
Species:
T. celebica
Binomial name
Taxus celebica

Taxus celebica is a large, evergreen shrub or tree of the yew family (Taxaceae), widespread in China at elevations up to 900 meters (3,000 feet). It is commonly called Chinese yew though the term also refers to the Taxus chinensis or Taxus sumatrana.[1]

The tree is up to 14 m (46 ft) tall and wide and bushy when cultivated. The leaves are up to 4 centimeters (1.5 inches) long — broader than those of most other yews — and often end in a very small, sharp point. The underside of each leaf has two broad yellow stripes and is densely covered with minute projections.[1]

It is, along with other yew species, unsustainably harvested across Asia for their bark and needles, which contain a chemical used in the cancer medication Taxol.[1]

  1. ^ a b c "Taxus celebica". www.worldbotanical.com. Retrieved 2015-11-01.