Taxus canadensis

Canada yew or Canadian yew is in the yew or Taxaceae family and is native to central and eastern North America, doing well in low-lying areas. It is usually a sprawling shrub.

• Leaves (needles) are lanciolate, flat, dark green, 1.0–2.5 cm long and 1-2.4 mm across, in 2 flat rows on either side of the branch.
• The species is monoecious (bearing both male and female flowers on the same plant). The male cone is round, 3 mm in diameter; seed cone is of a single seed surrounded by a bright red berry-like structure called an aril which is open at the end, which is attractive food for birds.
• Bark is thin, scaly brown; branches are spreading and ascending.
• All parts of the plant are toxic, yielding taxanes which have been used in cancer research.

** Thanks to Susan Meades for kindly providing us with all of the Taxus canadensis photos (as well as photos of many other species).