Anglo-Japanese Yew Taxus brevifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Anglo-Japanese Yew:
- Phonetic Spelling
- TAKS-us brev-ee-FOH-lee-uh
- Description
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Pacific Yew is an evergreen conifer native to the Pacific Northwest of North America. It has evergreen needles and bright red fruits. It grows in understory in fir, hemlock, and vine maple forests.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Taxus
- Species:
- brevifolia
- Family:
- Taxaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The wood is strong and resists decay is used to make fence posts, canoe paddles, tool handles. Native Americans used the wood to make spear handles, harpoons, poles, and eating utensils. It was used by the Salish people to make bows and is still used in bow making today.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Alaska to western U.S.A.
- Wildlife Value:
- Deer, elk, and moose browse on this plant. Fruits are enjoyed by songbirds.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses