Taxus canadensis Marshall

Shrubs to 2 m, usually monoecious, low, diffusely branched, straggling, spreading to prostrate. Bark reddish, very thin. Branches spreading and ascending. Leaves 1--2.5 cm ´ 1--2.4 mm, pale green abaxially, mostly without cuticular papillae along stomatal bands, dark green to yellow-green adaxially, epidermal cells as viewed in cross section of leaf wider than tall or ± isodiametric. Seed somewhat flattened, 4--5 mm. 2 n = 24.

An understory shrub in rich forests (deciduous, mixed, or coniferous), bogs, swamps, gorges, ravine slopes, and rocky banks; at elevations from sea level to 1,500 metres.

CAUTION: The seeds are poisonous and tea from the leaves is poisonous. The fruit are fermented with water and maple water to make a beer. The ripe fruit can be eaten fresh, but not the seed.

Can be grown by cuttings or seedlings.