T. baccata has its eastern limit in N. Iran. From Afghanistan eastwards through the Himalaya and N.E. India to S.W. China it is replaced partly by T. wallichiana, which may not be in cultivation. This differs from T. baccata in its usually sickle-shaped, relatively narrower and longer leaves, recurved at the margin, tapered to a usually spiny point, minutely papillose over the whole surface beneath (Florin, Act. Hort. Berg., Vol. 14 (1948), p. 382).
var. chinensis (Pilger) Florin T. baccata subsp. cuspidata var. chinensis Pilger; T. chinensis (Pilger) Rehd., in part only – Leaves with the same papillose undersurface as in the typical variety, but shorter and more abruptly narrowed at the apex. Described from specimens collected in Central China by Henry and by Farges. Confused with T. celebica by Rehder.