G8 A HANDBOOK OF CONIFERS 



Var. nana. 



A low shrub, rarely attaining a height of 3 ft , but spreading 

 very widely. Leaves small, deep green. Suitable for the higher 

 points of a rockery. 



Var. neidpathensis. 

 Neidpath Yew. 



A bold, vigorous, green -leaved variety with erect but not stiff 

 branches. 



Var. pendula. 

 Rather similar to var. gracilis pendula, but less robust and 

 looser in habit. 



Var. procumbens. 



A prostrate variety with longer leaves and stouter branches 

 than var. nana. 



Var. pyramidalis. 



Branches erect, crowded, and rather sparingly clothed with 

 branchlets. It is not a very effective variety. 



Var. pyramidalis variegata. 



Resembling the last-named in habit, but with golden-varie- 

 gated leaves. 



Var. recurvata, Carriere. 

 Branches wide-spreading and horizontal, leaves recurved. 



Var. semperaurea. 



A golden-leaved variety, the golden colour being retained 

 throughout the first year. 



The yew is one of the commonest and best-known hardy 

 evergreens and is one of the three conifers indigenous in the 

 British Isles. It is common on the chalk downs of the south 

 of England, where, in addition to isolated trees and scrub, yew 

 woods, sometimes of considerable extent, are found. It also 

 occurs wild in other parts of the country, and an interesting 

 wilding was found by one of us in 1921 on Great Orme's Head. 

 This plant originated in a crevice of the rock 9-12 in. deep. On 

 reaching the surface it commenced to spread laterally until in 

 1921 it measured 3 ft. 7 in. across in the widest part, was quite 

 flat and barely 4 in. high. A small piece of stem less than half an 

 inch in diameter, cut from the outer edge, had thirty-three annual 

 rings. There was no other yew near and the dwarf character 

 appeared to be due to poverty of soil and the shearing effect of 

 wind. 



T. haccata is widely spread in Europe, and is also found in 



