Taxus cuspidata (Japanese Yew or Spreadin Yew) is a member o the genus Taxus, native tae Japan, Korea, northeast Cheenae an the extreme sootheast o Roushie.
It is an evergreen tree or lairge shrub growin tae 10–18 m taw, wi a trunk up tae 60 cm diameter. The leafs is lanceolate, flat, mirk green, 1–3 cm lang an 2–3 mm braid, arranged spirally on the stem, but wi the leaf bases twistit tae align the leafs in twa flattis rows baith sides o the stem cep on erect leadin shuits whaur the spiral arrangement is mair obvious.
The seed cones are heichly modified, each cone containin a single seed 4–8 mm lang pairtly surroondit bi a modified scale that develops intae a saft, bricht reid berry-like structur cried an aril, 8–12 mm lang an wide an open at the end. The arils are matur 6–9 months efter pollination. Individual trees frae Sikhote-Alin is kent tae hae been 1,000 years auld.[1]
It is widely grown in eastren Asie an eastren North Americae as an ornamental plant.
The hale yew bush is toxic eneuch tae kill a horse, cep for the fleshy berry surroundin the seed.[1] For dugs, 2/5ths o an oz per 10 poonds o body weicht is lethal. It is advisable tae keep domestic animals awa frae the plant.
Closeup o the leafs on a stem
Roch bark o the tree
Taxus cuspidata (Japanese Yew or Spreadin Yew) is a member o the genus Taxus, native tae Japan, Korea, northeast Cheenae an the extreme sootheast o Roushie.
It is an evergreen tree or lairge shrub growin tae 10–18 m taw, wi a trunk up tae 60 cm diameter. The leafs is lanceolate, flat, mirk green, 1–3 cm lang an 2–3 mm braid, arranged spirally on the stem, but wi the leaf bases twistit tae align the leafs in twa flattis rows baith sides o the stem cep on erect leadin shuits whaur the spiral arrangement is mair obvious.
The seed cones are heichly modified, each cone containin a single seed 4–8 mm lang pairtly surroondit bi a modified scale that develops intae a saft, bricht reid berry-like structur cried an aril, 8–12 mm lang an wide an open at the end. The arils are matur 6–9 months efter pollination. Individual trees frae Sikhote-Alin is kent tae hae been 1,000 years auld.[1]
