Taxus canadensis
Common name: 
Canadian Yew
American Yew
Ground Hemlock
Pronunciation: 
TAKS-us kan-a-DEN-sis
Family: 
Taxaceae
Genus: 
Type: 
Conifer
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Conifer, evergreen shrub, low, often prostrate, spreading, loose, 3-6 × 6-8 ft (0.9-1.8 × 1.8-2.4 m).  Leaves (needles) in 2 ranks, 12-20 mm long, linear, abruptly sharp pointed, glossy green above (slightly reddish brown in winter), paler green and 2 stomatal bands below.   Dioecious, male and female plants, but also monoecious, both sexes on the same plant, male on new growth and female on older growth.  Fruit (aril) is fleshy, scarlet, wider than long, and single-seeded.  Seeds are poisonous.
  • Partial shade.  A slow growing, understory shrub found in moist, well-drained soil.  More straggly then many yews.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 2     Native range from Newfoundland to eastern Minnesota and south to eastern Tennessee.
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  • plant habit

    plant habit

  • branches, needles

    branches, needles

  • leaves and fruit

    leaves and fruit