Yew Trees in Beibei

Yew Trees in Beibei

The Yew Trees in Beibei is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Yew trees, also known as Taxus or red cypress, are ancient tree species that survived the Quaternary Ice Age. There are 11 species of yew in the world, five of which are found in China: the Northeastern yew, common yew, Southern yew, Yunnan yew, and Tibetan yew. Yew trees have strict ecological requirements and typically take 100∽250 years to reach maturity. They are an endangered and precious plant species. China has listed them as a Class I nationally protected rare and endangered species, and the United Nations has also banned their logging. Statistics from 1996 showed that wild yew trees in Yunnan accounted for 55% of the national total, including 1.1 million trees in Lijiang alone. In Yunnan, yew trees are mainly distributed in mountainous areas at altitudes of 2600∽3500 meters in Lijiang, Diqing, Nujiang, and Dali, growing in narrow belts with very limited numbers.

　　　Precious! Yew trees, also known as Taxus leaves or red cypress, are ancient plants surviving from the Quaternary Ice Age and are among the world’s rare and endangered species. There are only 11 species of yew globally, four of which are native to China along with one variety. The Southern yew is unique to China, is endangered, and has been classified as a Class I nationally protected rare tree species.

　　 Expensive! Paclitaxel, extracted from the bark and leaves of yew trees, shows remarkable efficacy in treating various advanced cancers and is known as the “last line of defense” in cancer treatment. High-purity paclitaxel is extremely expensive, costing around 2 million RMB per kilogram. However, yew trees grow slowly, have poor natural regeneration abilities, and it takes 10 acres of cultivated yew to produce just 1 kilogram of 1% purity paclitaxel.

　　Yew Trees in Beibei

　　 Agricultural Service Center, Sansheng Town, Beibei District, Chongqing

　　 11012684

　　 Yew Tree (plant)