Tree Conservation Information Service
| Taxus
wallichiana
Taxaceae Himalayan yew, ximalaya hongdoushan Distribution Afghanistan, Bhutan, China (Xizang), India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu-Kashmir, Manipur, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh), Nepal, Pakistan Habitat The species occurs in temperate moist forest between 1500m and 3500m. Population status and and trends In China the population is at a critical low, confined to Gyirong, Xizang, where it is threatened by logging (Fu, 1992). The Indian populations are scattered and cover a range of less than 2000km˛. They have declined by over 90% in recent decades (Molur & Walker, 1998). Exploitation of the various plant parts for medicinal use frequently leads to the destruction or felling of trees. Role of species in the ecosystem Threats Clear felling/ logging of the habitat, local use. Utilisation For several centuries the young shoots, leaves and bark have been used for their medicinal properties. More recently huge quantities of leaves have been collected for medicinal extracts which have anti-cancer properties. The timber is also sought-after and traded at domestic level. Trade Numerous companies in India are involved in the processing or export of the species for medicinal use. Since 1992 substantial quantities of leaves and roots have been exported. For instance 495.137mtonnes were exported from Madras/Cochin and 53.75mtonnes through Delhi. 170,710kg of dried leaves were export from Arunachal Pradesh in one month (Molur & Walker, 1998). The export from India is now banned. IUCN Conservation category LR/cd according to the SSC Conifer Specialist Group (Farjon, 1998). Conservation measures Various laws and programmes are in place in an effort to monitor and regulate both the exploitation and the trade. The species is listed in CITES Appendix II. Cultivating the species is moderately difficult in natural conditions.
References Anon. 1994. English translation of the Flora Rei Popularis Sinicae (Flora of China). (unpublished). Farjon, Aljos. et al.1998. Data collection forms for conifer species completed by the SSC Conifer Specialist Group between 1996 and 1998. Fu, Li-kuo & Jian-ming Jin (eds.). 1992. China Plant Red Data Book. Beijing: Science Press. xviii-741. Hara, H., W.T. Stearn, & L.H.J Williams. 1. An enumeration of the flowering plants of Nepal. London, British Museum (Natural History). Loc, Phan Ke. 1997. Letter to Sara Oldfield containing a list of the threatened Gymnosperms of Vietnam and their IUCN red list categories. Mill, Robert R. 1994. Annotations to Conifers - taxa listed on BG-BASE - status report as of 2 February 1994. 43pp. Molur, S. & S. Walker. (eds.). 1998. Conservation Assessment Management Plan (CAMP) workshop report for selected medicinal plants of northern, northeastern and central India. Pradhan, Rebecca. 1993. Annotations to WCMC plant list for Bhutan dated 31 August 1993. 40pp. Rechinger, K.H. (ed.). 1963. Flora Iranica. Austria, Graz. |
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