Silviculturist Dr. Chien Ching-te explains that when a yew seed falls to the ground it is not yet actually ripe, for the embryo is not yet fully developed, and the plant hormones and enzymes within it are still undergoing subtle changes. During the period of dormancy, just like a fetus in the womb, the plant embryo develops the characteristics which will enable it to emerge strong and healthy.
育林系博士簡慶德表示，紅豆杉種子落地後，其實並未成熟，種胚仍未發育完全，身體裡植物荷爾蒙、酵素還在起著微妙變化，休眠期間，正如子宮裡的胎兒，醞釀著能健康茁壯呱呱落地的條件。