Taxus 113 



dense shrub, making no definite leader, with the tips of the branchlets pendulous. 

 Var. gracilis pendtda is said to have the branches and branchlets more elongated, 

 and to attain a larger size than var. pendula. 



9. Var. horizontalis. 



Taxus baccata horizontalis. Knight, Syn. Conif. 52 (1850). 



Tllis resembles the Dovaston yew in the verticillate arrangement of the spread- 

 ing branches. The branchlets, however, instead of being pendulous, are turned 

 slightly upwards at the ends of the branches. 



10. Var. recurvata. 



Taxus baccata recurvata, Carrifere, Conif. 520 (1855). 



A large shrub, with branches somewhat ascending and elongated, and pendulous 

 branchlets, which bear the leaves so arranged as to be all directed upwards, each leaf 

 being recurved. The leaves resemble those of the Dovaston yew. 



1 1 . Var. procunibens. 



Taxus baccata procutnbens, Loudon, loc. cit. 2067 (1838). 



A low prostrate shrub, keeping close to the ground, with branches long and 

 ramified. This is distinct from Taxus canadensis in characters of leaves and buds. 



D. Varieties with leaves distichously arranged, in which the leaves are variously 

 coloured. 



12. Var. aurea, Golden Yew. 



Taxus baccata aurea, Carrifere, Conif. 518 (1855). 



A golden yew is mentioned in Plot's History of Staffordshire as occurring in 

 that county in 1686. There are many kinds of golden yew, which are of different 

 origin. The form generally known as aurea is a dense shrub or low tree, with 

 narrow falcate leaves which are variegated with yellow. Golden yews of this kind 

 are said to be all male trees. The original was reared by Lee of Hammersmith, 

 and was afterwards planted at Elvaston Castle. It was monoecious,' and from it 

 Barron reared several varieties. The variety known as var. Barroni has the leaves 

 more decidedly yellow than those of the common golden yew ; and one form of it is 

 female and bears berries. 



A great number of variegated yews of different kinds have been raised at Knap 

 Hill, at the Chester Nurseries, and elsewhere. These have been obtained as seed- 

 lings in various ways ; some were obtained by planting Irish yew amongst common 

 golden yew ; in other cases the seed-plants used were varieties like elegantissima, 

 erecta, adpressa, etc. 



13. Var. Washingtoni. A low dense shrub, in which the leaves on the young 

 shoots are golden yellow in colour. 



' According to Barron the tree was a male ; but he discovered on it a single branch bearing female flowers. See Card. 

 Chnm. 1868, p. 921 ; also 18S2, ii. 238. 



I Q 



