How to identify Canada yew (Taxus canadensis)

How to identify Canada yew (Taxus canadensis)

Canada yew, also known as Pacific yew, Yew

Canada yew is characterized by its woody, evergreen nature, presenting with needle-like foliage. These needles are dark glossy green and are arranged spirally on thin, sprawling stems. The plant’s habit is open; it tends to grow with a low, spreading form. Mature specimens reach heights of roughly 1-6 feet (30-180 cm) and can spread to a similar width. It has red, berry-like structures called arils, which are conspicuous in contrast to the foliage.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Canada yew

Dark glossy green needle-like foliage arranged spirally on thin stems.

Open habit with low, spreading form; mature height 1-6 feet (30-180 cm).

Distinctive bright red arils around 3/8 inch (1 cm) in length, revealing solitary seed.

3/8- to 1-inch (1 to 2.5 cm) dark green needles with flattened appearance projecting laterally.

Hairless twigs with stems measuring 0.1-0.2 inches (2.5-5 mm) in thickness; alternate branching pattern.

Detailed Traits of Canada yew

Leaf Features

Canada yew features 3/8- to 1-inch (1 to 2.5 cm) dark green needles that attach singly in a spiral around the branch. However, they present a flattened appearance as they project laterally only. The undersides are paler with a prominent green midvein, giving them a striped appearance. These leaves are particularly noteworthy for their arrangement and unique coloration, which aids in the identification of the plant.

Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

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Flower Features

Canada yew features separate male and female cones about 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) long. Female cones, starting as pointed buds, are subtended by small bracts. Male cones are oval-elliptic with yellowish cone scales and creamy pollen sacs that turn tan. Each cone is borne singly in the leaf axils. Flowers are not scent-producing, and they play a crucial role in identification due to their distinctive structure and coloration during pollen release.

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Stem Features

The stem of canada yew is characterized by its alternate, hairless twigs. When young, the stems are green to yellowish, gaining a brown to reddish-brown hue in the second year. The texture of the stem is smooth initially, becoming slightly rougher with age. Stems typically measure about 0.1 to 0.2 inches (2.5 to 5 mm) in thickness. The branching pattern is mostly alternate, contributing to the distinctive appearance of canada yew. These features make identification of the stem practical and straightforward.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of canada yew is distinguished by its bright red aril, resembling a small, cup-shaped vessel around 3/8 inch (about 1 cm) in length. This fleshy and visually striking structure is unique in that it opens at the end, revealing the solitary seed nested within. The fruit matures in mid- to late-summer and is not only attractive but also a key feature for the identification of canada yew. The contrast between the vibrant aril and the seed offers a distinct visual cue for observers.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Canada yew and Their Similar Plants

Common yew vs. Canada yew: What's The Difference?

Common yew (Taxus baccata) is a medium-sized evergreen tree. Every part of this tree is poisonous and consumption can result in death. Common yew is native to Europe, as well as parts of Africa, Iran, and southwest Asia. Historically, wood from this species was used to make English longbows - important weapons in medieval tactical warfare.

Japanese yew vs. Canada yew: What's The Difference?

Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata) is a yew tree species native to Japan, Korea, and China. Come in all sizes, the japanese yew yields bright red berries and has bright green leaves, making it a popular holiday decoration. This plant is toxic to humans. Birds such as waxwing, thrushes, and cardinals use the plant as shelter.

Pacific yew vs. Canada yew: What's The Difference?

Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia) is an evergreen tree species native to the coastal regions of Western North America. Pacific yew has a history of usage by Native Americans, who regularly used the lumber to create bows and paddles. This tree grows very slowly and has an established pattern of rotting from the inside.

Chinese yew vs. Canada yew: What's The Difference?

Chinese yew is an evergreen conifer known for its dark green, needle-like leaves and bright red arils that envelop its seeds. Usually found in forested areas of China, chinese yew thrives in shaded understories with well-drained soils. Its bark and leaves are valued for their medicinal properties, notably in cancer treatment. This slow-growing yew is also appreciated for its ornamental use in landscapes.

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Key Facts About Canada yew

Attributes of Canada yew

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

2.5 m

Spread

1.8 m to 2.5 m

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Color

Gold

Yellow

Cream

Fruit Color

Red

Burgundy

Stem Color

Green

Red

Yellow

Brown

Burgundy

The Toxicity of Canada yew

Toxic to Dogs

Toxic to Cats

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Scientific Classification of Canada yew

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Canada yew (Taxus canadensis)

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Distribution Map of Canada yew

Canada yew is a cold-weather plant native to swampy woods in northeast North America. This is a water-loving conifer that is rarely grown ornamentally but it is sometimes used in shady and moist gardens for ground cover, usually within North America.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Canada yew

A Comprehensive Guide to Canada yew How to Grow and Care for Canada yew