Taxus canadensis

Drawing of the Canadian yew

The Canadian yew ( Taxus canadensis) is a species of the genus of yew (Taxus ) in the family of Yews ( Taxaceae ).

Occurrence

The Canadian yew is native to North America from Newfoundland to Manitoba, south to Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois and Iowa. It grows on moist soil or bodies of water nearby.

Description

The Canadian yew is a shrub that rarely reaches stature heights above 2.5 meters. The very thin bark is reddish. The needle leaves are 1 to 2.5 cm long and 1 to 2.4 mm wide.

In contrast to most of the Taxus species is usually monoecious getrenntgeschlechtig ( monoecious ). The maturing in late summer or early autumn seeds are 4-5 mm in size.

As with the European yew all plant parts except for the red aril ( seed coat ) are toxic; However, the poison in the Canadian Art is supposed to be weaker. Despite the toxicity of the Indians infusions of the plant also used internally for rheumatism.

Swell

• Christopher J. Earle: Taxus canadensis. In: The Gymnosperm Database. May 27, 2011, accessed on 25 October 2011 ( English).