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Canada yew

Taxus canadensis

The Canada yew is a small, evergreen shrub with soft, dark green needles. It grows low to the ground and can live for many years, making it a special part of the forest.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Canada yew is a low, spreading shrub with soft, flat, dark green needles arranged in two rows along its reddish-brown stems. It produces small, bright red, cup-shaped 'berries' (arils) that contrast beautifully with its evergreen foliage.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPinopsidaOrderPinalesFamilyTaxaceaeGenusTaxus
Canada yew
shade_tolerant trait badgeshrub trait badgeconiferous trait badgeevergreen trait badge
Canada yew

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Canada yew's bright red 'berries' are actually fleshy cones, with a single toxic seed inside!

Canada yews can live for a very long time, sometimes over 100 years!

Its tough, flexible wood was historically prized for making tools and hunting bows!

The needles of the yew are very soft and feel nice to touch.

Special abilities

Ability

Shade Dweller

Canada yew can thrive in very dark forests, using its specialized needles to capture faint sunlight that other plants miss.

Ability

Toxic Shield

Canada yew has toxic compounds in its leaves and seeds that make it dangerous for most animals to eat, protecting it from predators.

Ability

Resilient Rooter

If its branches are damaged, Canada yew can sprout new shoots from its base or roots, helping it recover quickly.

Measurements & details

Height
100-250 cm
Spread
150-400 cm
Bloom Season
Early spring
Edible
No
Toxicity
Deadly
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Wind

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

Do not eat the berries or any part of the plant, as they can be harmful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Canada yew?

100-250 cm

How wide does Canada yew spread?

150-400 cm

When does Canada yew bloom?

Early spring

Is Canada yew edible?

No

Is Canada yew toxic?

Deadly

What is Canada yew's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Canada yew pollinated?

Wind

Where is Canada yew usually found?

Forests

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