Taxus brevifolia Nutt.

Shrubs or small trees to 15(--25) m, dioecious; trunk to 6(--12) dm diam., straight to contorted, fluted; crown open-conical. Bark scaly, outer scales purplish to purplish brown, inner ones reddish to reddish purple. Branches horizontal to drooping. Leaves 1--2.9 cm ´ 1--3 mm, pale green abaxially, cuticular papillae present along stomatal bands, shiny yellow-green adaxially, epidermal cells as viewed in cross section of leaf mostly taller than wide. Seed ovoid, 2--4-angled, 5--6.5 mm.

Growing singly or in small clumps on the banks of mountain streams, in deep gorges and ravines, open or dense forests, especially under large coniferous trees; at elevations from sea level to 2,200 metres.

CAUTION: The seeds are poisonous and tea from the leaves is poisonous. The fruit are only eaten singly.

Can be grown by cuttings or seedlings.