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Cephalotaxus species are needle evergreens offering the aesthetic qualities of Taxus, yew, yet are heat- and drought-tolerant, sun- and shade-adaptable, and resist deer browsing. They are adaptable to nursery and garden cultivation in USDA hardiness zones (5)6–9. Unfortunately, the various species are frequently confused in the American nursery trade due to their extreme similarity in morphology. Recently, molecular data have been widely applied in the taxonomic studies, especially DNA sequencing. The chloroplast gene rbcL of Cephalotaxus has been sequenced for determining species relationships. The preliminary results show that C. oliveri Mast. has 10 base changes from C. drupacea Sieb. et Zucc., while only one base difference occurred between C. drupacea and C. harringtonia (Forbes) Koch. There are between one and 10 base substitutions among C. fortunei Hooker, C. koreana Nakai, and C. sinensis (Rehd. et Wils.) Li. Compared with other closely related conifers, Cephalotaxus has a substantial number of differences among species except between C. drupacea and C. harringtonia, which may not be distinct species. Detailed data relative to gene sequencing, growth morphology, and horticultural characteristics should lead to correct identification of species and great horticultural uses. Furthermore, the method of rbcL sequence can be applied to distinguish other morphologically homogeneous ornamental plants.

Cephalotaxus Sieb. and Zucc. (plum yew) species and cultivars have become popular because of their sun and shade tolerance, resistance to deer browsing, disease and insect tolerance, and cold and heat adaptability. Unfortunately, the nomenclature and classification in the literature and nursery trade are confusing due to their extreme similarity in morphology. In this study, amplified fragment-length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were used to discriminate taxa and evaluate genetic differences among 90 Cephalotaxus accessions. A total of 403 useful markers between 75 and 500 base pairs (bps) was generated from three primer-pair combinations. Cluster analysis showed that the 90 accessions can be classified as four species, C. oliveri Mast., C. fortunei Hooker, C. harringtonia (Forbes) Koch., and C. ×sinensis (a hybrid species); four varieties, C. fortunei var. alpina Li, C. harringtonia var. koreana (Nakai) Rehd., C. harringtonia var. nana (Nakai) Hornibr., and C. harringtonia var. wilsoniana (Hayata) Kitamura; and eight cultivars. Suggested names are provided for mislabeled or misidentified taxa. The Cephalotaxus AFLP data serve as a guide to researchers and growers for identification and genetic differences of a taxon, and a model to establish a cultivar library against which later introductions or problematic collections can be cross-referenced.

The correct identification of horticultural taxa becomes more and more important for intellectual property protection and economic reasons. Traditionally, morphological characteristics have been used to differentiate among the horticultural taxa. However, the morphological characteristics may vary with plant age, cultural conditions, and climate. Modern technologies, such as DNA markers, are now employed in the identification of horticultural taxa. Currently, technologies of DNA sequencing (gene sequences) and DNA fingerprinting (RAPD, RFLP, SSR, and AFLP) are available for distinguishing among horticultural taxa. The literature and our personal experience indicate that the application of each technique depends on the taxon and ultimate goal for the research. DNA sequencing of a variety of nuclear or chloroplast encoded genes or intergenic spacers (rbcL, ndhF, matK, ITS) can be applied to distinguish different species. All DNA fingerprinting technologies can be used to classify infraspecies taxa. AFLP (the most modern technique) is the better and more-reliable to identify taxa subordinate to the species, while RAPDs can be employed in clonal or individual identification. Techniques of RFLP and SSR lie between AFLP and RAPD in their effectiveness to delineate taxa. Mechanics, laboratory procedures, and inherent difficulties of each technique will be briefly discussed. Application of the above technologies to the classification of Cephalo taxus will be discussed in concert with the morphological and horticultural characteristics. Future classification and identification of horticultural taxa should combine DNA technology and standard morphological markers.

Green roofs are becoming increasingly prevalent in the United States due to their economical and environmental benefits as compared with conventional roofs. Plant selection for green roofs in the variable climate of the southeastern United States has not been well evaluated. Shallow substrates on green roofs provide less moderation of temperature and soil moisture than deeper soils in traditional landscapes, necessitating empirical evaluation in green roof environments to make informed recommendations for green roof plant selection. Nineteen species and cultivars, including succulents, grasses, and forbs, were evaluated under seasonal irrigated and non-irrigated conditions in experimental green roofs. Plants were planted on 26 Oct. 2009 and each evaluated for survival and increase in two-dimensional coverage of the substrate during establishment, after overwintering, and after the first growing season. The winter 2009–10 was colder than normal, and some plants, such as ice plants (Delosperma spp.), considered to be cold-hardy in this climate did not survive through the winter. Irrigation influenced survival for the summer period and only succulent plants like stonecrops (Sedum spp.) survived without irrigation. Irrigated experimental green roofs had significantly lower summer substrate temperatures (up to 20 °F lower) and plants survived in irrigated conditions. Plants that survived both winter and summer under irrigated conditions include pussytoes (Antennaria plantaginifolia), mouse-ear tickseed (Coreopsis auriculata), eastern bottlebrush grass (Elymus hystrix), glade cleft phlox (Phlox bifida stellaria), and eggleston's violet (Viola egglestonii). Irrigation is recommended on extensive green roofs to increase the palette for plant selection by protecting against plant mortality due to drought and extreme soil temperatures.