SafePlants

Florida Yew (Taxus floridana)

The Florida yew, scientifically known as Taxus floridana, is a rare and fascinating evergreen shrub or small tree native to a very limited region in northern Florida.

Common Names

• Florida Yew
• Stinking Cedar

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Taxus floridana Nutt. ex Chapman
• Synonym: Taxus baccata L. var. floridana (Nutt. ex Chapman) Elwes
• Family: Taxaceae (Yew family)

Considerations for Pets

• The text does not provide specific information regarding toxicity or potential hazards for pets.

Considerations for Children

• The text does not provide specific information regarding toxicity or potential hazards for children.

Distribution and Habitat

• Taxus floridana is found only in a small area, under 10 km, on the eastern side of the Apalachicola River in northern Florida.
• It is restricted to a 24 km section of ravines and bluffs along the Apalachicola River in Liberty and Gadsden counties.
• The Florida yew grows in small, mostly clonal stands within forests dominated by American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora).

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• The Florida yew is an evergreen shrub or small tree that grows slowly to a height of about 20 feet (4-6 meters).
• It can grow to be 13-20 ft. (4-6 m.) tall, and its trunk diameter is 1 ft. (.3 m.).
• It has thin, scaly purple-brown bark that sloughs off in plates.
• The text mentions that it is most commonly found as a low decorative bush but can also be found in the wild.
• It has spreading, horizontally held branches.
• Female plants bear oval, half-inch-long fruits in October, consisting of a single yellowish-brown seed partly enclosed by fleshy aril.

Ecological Role

• The Florida yew is considered one of the rarest trees in the world.
• It is listed as imperiled due to its rarity and vulnerability to extinction.
• The text advises against planting it near other yew species.

Quirky Facts

• The Florida yew made its debut on the list of American Forests Champion Trees in 1986, as it is the largest known tree of its species in the United States.

Further Information

• ARKive provides photos and facts about the Florida yew.
• The RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) offers help and information on Taxus floridana.
• Additional information can be found at http://ridingwithamy.com/my-blog and http://usbg.gov/plants/florida-yew.