Japanese Yew Taxus cuspidata
- 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 a woody evergreen tree or shrub in the yew family (Taxaceae). It is native to Korea, China, Russia, and Japan. This plant was introduced to the United States in 1833. The name derives from the Latin word cuspidatus, meaning “prickly pointed,” which refers to the sharp, pointed tips of the foliage.
Grow the Japanese yew in full sun, dappled sunlight, or in partial shade. It requires sandy or loamy, neutral to acidic soil with good drainage. This yew is tolerant of urban conditions and drought. It is also very cold hardy and easy to maintain. It tolerates pruning well and needs regular annual pruning to maintain its shape.
Heights of up to 50 feet have been recorded when the Japanese yew is grown in its natural habitat. Grown as a landscape specimen and pruned regularly the height typically averages around 25 feet. Plant 6 to 12 feet apart. The needle-like foliage is dark green with a yellow-tinged underside and may turn reddish brown or yellow in the winter. The bark is reddish brown.
Male plants produce small, pollen-producing cones. Female plants produce single-seeded, fleshy cones that develop into naked seeds partially covered by showy red arils. The aril is a fleshy outgrowth of the stalk that bears the seed. The seed+aril resembles a berry. Birds eat the arils and disperse the seeds.
The Japanese yew has an impressive variety of uses in the landscape. It is an excellent choice for hedges and privacy screens and can be shaped as topiary. Use it as a specimen or accent plant on your lawn, in a patio, or along a walkway. It also works well in woodland settings.
Quick ID
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Shrubs with spirally-arranged, short, green linear leaves with two flat rows of needles
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Female plants with red arils
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.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
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- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- 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:
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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:
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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:
- Asian Garden
- Rock Garden
- 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
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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
