Plant Encyclopedia
Cephalotaxus harringtonia var. nana ("Haiinugaya")
Japanese name: ハイイヌガヤ (這犬榧)
Scientific name: Cephalotaxus harringtonia var. nana
[Overview]
An evergreen coniferous shrub 1–2 m tall, adapted to heavy-snow regions.
The lower part of the trunk creeps along the ground.
It branches well, and the branches grow upward.
The leaves are alternate, but because their bases are twisted they appear to be arranged in two horizontal rows.
The leaves are linear, about 2.5–3.5 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 red when ripe.
[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.
Details
Translated from our Japanese encyclopedia. If anything differs, the Japanese page is correct.
