Smithsonian Gardens

Common name: Japanese Yew

Family: Taxaceae (Yew)

Distribution: S Russian Far East to N China and Japan

Habitat: Mixed conifer and conifer-deciduous forests in lowland to lower montane altitudes; 100-1600 meters

Hardiness: -30 - 10 F

Life form: Evergreen tree

Foliage characteristics: Needles can be straight or curved, are dull green on top and pale green beneath with two yellowish bands. Needles have a sharply pointed tip. .5-1" long. All yew leaves are poisonous.

Fruit characteristics: Fleshy red cones resemble berries (aril), and are about 12mm in diameter. They ripen in August-November.

Bloom Time: March and April

Poisonous/toxic: Leaves, seeds, and bark poisonous. One of the most toxic of all poisonous plants. Has been the cause of many livestock, and even some human, deaths.

Bark characteristics: Redish brown, scaly bark

Dioecious: Yes

Average height: 10-40'

Structure: Varies; broad; irregular; pyramidal; upright

Bloom characteristics: Male flowers are small, spherical, and in axils of leaves. Female is a cone-like structure which is singular, green, and also in the axil of the leaves.

Description: Japanese yew is a lovely ornamental plant, with its dark green foliage and contrasting red “berries” (actually fleshy cones) - and very poisonous. While legend once considered even the shade of the yew tree dangerous to anyone who slept underneath it, this is a step too far. Suffice to say, that no part of the yew should be consumed. It can best be appreciated visually.
Invasive tendency in Connecticut.