Abstract: Kayaflavone has been isolated from leaves of Torreya jackii Chun, a species endemic to China. Seven species, belonging to Taxus, Pseudotaxus, Amentotaxus as well as Torreya, in Taxaceae were examined for kayaflavone, which has been detected only in the genus Torreya. The result seems to justify the separation of the genus from the others and the establishment of the monotypic tribe, Torreyeae.