Western Yew Taxus
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Western Yew:
- Phonetic Spelling
- TAKS-us
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Evergreen shrub; leaves alternate, simple, linear; seed axillary, with red, fleshy aril nearly surrounding the green seed. Female selections desired for red "berries" (aril) to contrast with deep green foliage & food source of birds in winter; male needs to be planted nearby for fertilization and production of arils; withstands heavy pruning; utilized as foundation plants, hedges, topiaries, screens, undergrowth shrubs.
This plant has poison characteristics, see below.
Quick ID
- Shrubs with spirally-arranged, short, green linear leaves
- Female plants with red arils
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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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Taxus
- Family:
- Taxaceae
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
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Cultural Conditions:
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are alternate & spirally arranged, linear, and subcoriaceous. They are dark green, glossy, abruptly acute & pointed, paler green below with 2 yellowish-green bands.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Design Feature:
- Foundation Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- 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, seizures (dogs), difficult breathing, 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
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Seeds
