Taxus cuspidata
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- TAKS-us kus-pi-DAY-tuh
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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The Japanese Yew is native to Korea, China, Russia and Japan. It was introduced to the US in 1833. The word cuspidate, translates to prickly pointed, referring to the foliage which have sharp pointed tips.
Heights of up to 50' have been recorded when grown in its natural habitat. When grown as a landscape specimen, the heights will typically average around 25' when maintenance and pruning is completed on a regular basis.
In the landscape, it is an excellent choice for hedges and shaped as a topiary.
The female plant does not produce cones. It will have showy, red fruits that resemble a berry. The fruits each contain one seed. Birds frequent the fruits and spread the seed.
Tolerant of urban conditions and drought, very cold hardy.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Issues with winter burn can occur in locations where the plant is exposed. Root rot can occur when the soil is not properly drained. Twig blight and needle blight can also be a problem. Insects affecting the plant include, mealybugs, scale and weevils.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Mountain Ridge Top Garden - East Lawn and Lower Drive Border
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Aurescens
- 'Capitata'
More pyramidal shape, abundant fruit. - 'Densiformis'
Spreading yew. - 'Dwarf Bright Gold'
Height up to 6', new growth is golden yellow. - 'Nana Aurescens'
Low-growing, new growth is a golden color.
- Aurescens
- Aurescens, 'Capitata', 'Densiformis', 'Dwarf Bright Gold', 'Nana Aurescens'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Aurescens
- 'Capitata'
More pyramidal shape, abundant fruit. - 'Densiformis'
Spreading yew. - 'Dwarf Bright Gold'
Height up to 6', new growth is golden yellow. - 'Nana Aurescens'
Low-growing, new growth is a golden color.
- Aurescens
- Aurescens, 'Capitata', 'Densiformis', 'Dwarf Bright Gold', 'Nana Aurescens'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Taxus
- Species:
- cuspidata
- Family:
- Taxaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Korea, China, Russia and Japan
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds are attracted to the fruits.
- Play Value:
- Buffer
- Easy to Grow
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Bark, leaves, seed pit (red, fleshy surrounding part, called the aril, is OK to eat)
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Broad
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The red arils, in small amounts, are edible. The green seed is toxic.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The needle like foliage is dark green with a yellow-tinged underside. It can turn a reddish-brown or yellow color in the winter.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Scaly
- Bark Description:
- Scaly reddish-brown bark.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Multistemmed.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Patio
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Rabbits
- Urban Conditions
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Nervousness, trembling, slow pulse, pupil dilation, difficult breathing, seizures (dogs), abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, convulsions; may be fatal. Early signs: muscular tremors, dyspnea, seizures in dogs.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Alkaloid taxine
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Leaves
- Seeds
