BOTANICAL NAME TAXUS CUSPIDATA
PRONUNCIATION TACKS - us
COMMON NAME Japanese Yew
FAMILY Taxaceae
Life Cycle Evergreen perennial
Growth Habit Shrub Height 4’ - 6” Width 3’ - 4’ Upright
ARRANGEMENT and composition Needles - one per fascicle Simple
LEAF Acicular (needle-like) Length 1” Width 1/8”
MARGIN Entire
VEINS Parallel
FLOWER Spring Inconspicuous
FRUIT Fall (September) Bell shaped scarlet aril Poisonous
EXPOSURE Part shade Shade
USE Hedge Foundation (Pharmaceutical - Taxal found in this bark was used to cure ovarian cancer)
DESCRIPTION Leaves are needles Mostly but not distinctly 2-ranked Upright and irregular v-shaped straight or slightly curved
DESCRIPTION Slightly leathery Apex rather sharp pointed, dull to dark lustrous green above, pale beneath with 2 yellowish green bands
DESCRIPTION Fruit is very poisonous Dioecious
CULTURAL PRACTICES Must be in well drained soil No wet feet
ZONES 4 - 7
NATIVE OF: Japan, Korea