Japanese Yew
Taxus cuspidata
Taxaceae
Growth habit
Tree
Perennation
Long-lived polycarpic perennial
Native distribution
Japan: Honshu, Kyushu, & Shikoku.
Location
Source of plant
Adams Nursery, Hicks' Nursery, Cornell Botanic Gardens
Description
Tree, to 20 m high or more in its habitat, often shrubby in cultivation; branches horizontal or ascending, bark reddish-brown, annual growth reddish, bud scales usually ovate, the basal ones more triangular and keeled; needles irregularly 2-ranked, linear, abruptly acuminate with a small mucronulate tip, 15-25 mm long, to 3 mm wide, base abruptly tapered to a distinct, yellowish petiole, deep green above, with 2 yellowish stomatal bands beneath; seeds ovate, compressed, slightly 3-4 angled, aril red.
USDA Hardiness Zone
5
Special characteristics
winter interest