Taxus canadensis (Canada Yew)


Michael's Opinion

Unfortunately not a notable landscape plant, however useful for medicinal purposes. The hardiest of the Yews, it is not surprising that this species is lacking in some way.

Botanical Information

FamilyTaxaceae
GenusTaxus
Speciescanadensis
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (evergreen)
OriginNewfoundland to Virginia, Tennessee, Iowa and Manitoba; introduced into cultivation in the U.S. in 1800.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone2-6
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone1-5
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-46
Temperature (°F)-50
Height2 m
Spread2.5 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodMay

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionA low growing shrub; loose, unattractive form. Not often used in the landscape; hardiest of the yews. Valued for its taxanes, which is a chemical produced by the plant used in cancer drugs.
ID Characteristic2-ranked needles, sharp pointed leaf apex, reddish brown bark.
ShapeLoose and spreading.
LandscapeNot commonly used in the landscape because of its unattractive form. Can be used for groundcover and bonsai.
PropagationCuttings most effective because seeding is very slow. If seeding, dormancy can be broken with warm then cold stratification. Procure wood between October and January; apply a hormone. Should root in 2-3 months.
CultivationShade tolerant and extremely hardy, but not tolerant of disturbances like logging and wildlife. Can transplant balled and burlapped; likes moist soil. If grown in cultivation and annual pruning will help maintain it appearance.
PestsNot notable. Can be partial to Taxus mealybug and Taxus scale.
Notable SpecimensThe Rock Chapel at The Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
HabitatGrows in bogs and out of sandstone cliffs. Understory plant of late successional forests.
Bark/Stem DescriptionNearly smooth and very thin, but ornamentally unimportant.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description1-2 mm long, yellow green. Obovate, imbricate.
Leaf DescriptionTwo-ranked needles, 13-19 mm long, 1-2 mm wide; short-pointed tip. Short-stalked.
Flower Description7-13 mm flower buds occur on the underside of the stem. Flowers monoecious, and self fertile; pollinated by the wind.
Fruit DescriptionLight red arial; seed surrounded by cup-like flesh. Seeds broader than high and is olive green in colour.
Colour DescriptionLeaves dark green on top, pale underside with white markings. Flesh of the fruit light red.
Texture DescriptionMedium; soft foliage and fruit, bark smooth.

Photographs