This species has recently been described from southwest China and northern Vietnam. Since then it has also been recorded from Lao PDR under the name T. wallichiana. While it is not yet included on the IUCN Redlist, it is likely to be assessed as Endangered or Vulnerable under Criterion A and possibly C.
Distribution
In China this species has been recorded from southeast Yunnan, northeast and southwest Guizhou. In Vietnam it has been recorded from Lao Cai, Son La, Hoa Binh and Hagiang (Moeller et al 2013). Previously, Taxus from these parts of northern Vietnam had been identified as T. chinensis. Very recently it has been collected from a single locality in Vientiane Province in Lao PDR (Averyanov et al 2015).Its distribution is incompletely known.
Habitat and Ecology
Restricted to karst limestone mountains at altitudes between 800 and 1525 metres above sea-level. Associated taxa may include Clausena excavata Burm. f., Cleidion bracteosum Gagnep., Eurya groffii Merr., Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers., Pavieasia anamensis Pierre, Sinosideroxylon pedunculatum (Hemsl.) H. Chuang, Xantolis boniana (Dubard) P. Royen, Yunnanopilia longistaminea (W.Z. Li) C.Y. Wu & D.Z. Li, Amentotaxus yunnanensis H.L. Li, Cephalotaxus mannii Hook. f., Podocarpus neriifolius D. Don, and Podocarpus wangii C.C. Chang
Human Uses
Selectively felled for its timber and, to some extent, exploited for Taxol production in the past
Conservation Status
Proposed Global Status and Rationale
Vulnerable (Endangered?) A2cd
As with other Taxus species in Asia, it has been exploited for use in traditional medicines as well as Taxol production. It has also declined due to deforestation and the conversion of its habitat for agriculture. Large trees are selectively felled for their rot resistant timber. Throughout its known range, its subpopulations are small and fragmented.
Conservation Actions
A few trees are within protected areas in northern Vietnam. Further research is need to establish its full distribution.
References and further reading
Averyanov, L.V., T.H. Nguyen, K.S. Nguyen, T.V. Pham, V. Lamxay, S. Bounphanmay, S. Lorphengsy, K.P. Loc, S. Lanorsavanh, K. Chantthavongsa 2014. Gymnosperms of Laos. Nordic Journal of Botany 32(6):765-805.
Moeller, M., L.M. Gao, R.R. Mill, J. Liu, D.Q. Zhang, R.C. Poudel, D.Z. Li 2013. A multidisciplinary approach reveals hidden taxonomic diversity in the morphologically challenging Taxus wallichiana complex. Taxon 62(6):1161-1177.
