| General Description | Robert Fortune (1812-1880), Scottish botanist and plant collector, introduced Cephalotaxus fortunei to Britain in 1848. The species name was applied after his death in his honour. |
| ID Characteristic | Needled evergreen with foliage resembling that of yews. Fruits on the females look like very small plums. Can be either a tree or more commonly a large shrub with spreading branches that have a slight drooping habit.. |
| Landscape | Best used as a hedge or massing shrub. |
| Propagation | Cuttings collected in autumn or spring from the semi-ripe, upward growing wood. Cold stratification outside only produces 33% germination, to reach a 50% germination you would have to plant out in autumn and leave until the following winter period. Many have attempted to germinate in 3 months with a mist system and applying rooting promoters but have found to allow for successful germination you should leave it for 1–2 years. Patience is a virtue when propagating. |
| Cultivation | Tolerant to heat and shade. Prefers moist, well drained and sandy soils. |
| Notable Specimens | Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England. |
| Leaf Description | Linear, pointed, with dark green needles up to 8 cm long. These yew-like needles extend horizontally from the branchlets. Needles have two silver-white bands on their underside. |
| Fruit Description | Showy fruit resembling a small plum. |
