Cephalotaxus harringtonia var. harringtonia ("Inugaya")

Japanese name: イヌガヤ （犬榧）
Scientific name: Cephalotaxus harringtonia var. harringtonia

[Overview]
An evergreen coniferous small tree or shrub, reaching 8–10 m in height in large specimens.
The bark splits shallowly lengthwise.
The leaves are alternate, but because their bases are twisted they appear to be arranged in two horizontal rows.
The leaves are linear, about 3–5 cm long and 0.3 cm wide, with short pointed tips that do not hurt when touched.
The upper surface of the leaf is dark green, and the underside has white stomatal bands.
It is dioecious.
The male flowers are spherical and grow in the leaf axils of the previous year's branches.
The female flowers (ovules) are ovate and grow singly or in pairs in the leaf axils at the tips of the previous year's branches.
The seeds are elliptical, about 2.5 cm long, enclosed in an aril, and ripen in October of the following year.
The outer seed coat turns reddish purple when ripe.

[Uses]
Oil from the seeds was once used as lamp oil and as hair oil.
The wood is used for utensils and crafts.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
It dislikes being transplanted somewhat.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained, moderately moist, fertile site.
It is shade tolerant and can endure about partial shade.
For potted plants, and for plants in the ground less than 2 years after planting, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for established plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Apply organic fertilizer around the plant as fertilizer in winter.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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