Florida Yew Taxus floridana
Previously known as:
- Taxus canadensis subsp. floridana
- Taxus canadensis var. floridana
- Taxus globosa var. floridana
- Phonetic Spelling
- TAKS-us flo-ri-DAY-nah
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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The Florida yew is an evergreen conifer shrub or small tree in the yew family (Taxaceae) native to a small area of the Florida panhandle along the Apalachicola River. It can be found growing along moist ravines in hardwood forests and is considered critically endangered. The genus name is an old Latin name for yews. The specific epithet refers to the native range in Florida.
This tree grows 12 to 18 feet tall and wide, and rarely up to 25 feet. It prefers fertile, slightly acidic, consistently moist but well-drained soils in partial sun. Tolerant of full sun to nearly full shade. It needs to be protected from harsh winds to prevent winter burn. Propagation is by seed or stem cuttings.
The tree is dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female trees. The female produces a berry-like aril with a single seed that matures to red in the fall. This tree or large shrub grows in a dense form with horizontal branches and fragrant leaves. Seeds and foliage of this tree are poisonous to humans, pets and livestock.
Use Florida yew as a specimen in a winter or woodland garden. It should do well along streams and ponds.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Potential diseases include twig blight and needle blight. Root rot may occur in poorly-drained soils. Potential insects include weevils, mealybugs and scale.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Taxus
- Species:
- floridana
- Family:
- Taxaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Florida
- Distribution:
- FL
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds will eat the fruits
- Dimensions:
- Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 12 ft. 0 in. - 18 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- No fruits. Female trees produce red berry-like cones called arils that contain a single seed. Yellow solitary pollen cones on male trees form along the shoots.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The dark green needles are 1 inch long, flat, linear, fine-textured, needle-like and pointed. They occur in two horizontal ranks and are mildly fragrant when crushed. They have 2 gray stomatal bands on the underside.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Scaly
- Bark Description:
- The purple-brown bark is smooth on young trees and, with age forms thin irregular scales
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Orange
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Young branches are orange and mature to brown.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Lawn
- Pond
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Small Tree
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Symptoms include nervousness, trembling, slow pulse, pupil dilation, seizures, breathing difficulties, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and convulsions, potentially leading to death
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- taxine B
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Leaves
- Seeds
